Two pairs of surprised eyes welcomed Kese at work on Monday. They watched him slowly walk to the coat rack, put on his apron, then start heating the coal next to Setsuna. About a minute later the blond realized the others were oddly quiet and motionless. He stopped working and looked at them with hardly opened eyes. - 'Morning again?

- Your party night was a bit rough, wasn't it? – Setsuna touched his mouth, referring to the healing cut on his lips. Kese just moaned in response.

- Where did you get that?

- I don't remember. – he lied.

- Why? What happened?

The blond blushed. – I… drank too much.

The other two blacksmiths glanced at each other, then burst into laughter, shaking their heads. Kese didn't know how to get this. – What?!

- Would you believe if we say… - Tata chuckled. - We've already figured it out?

The blond's eyes widened and he paled. – What-how?!

- It's almost noon.

- Oh. - Setsuna's answer made Kese sigh. - I thought I managed to wake up to my walking alarm clock…

- You did. I heard you saying "awake".

They all chuckled, and Kese tried to do it carefully, not to open his wounds.

- Cover your mouth with something. It wouldn't be good if dirt got into that cut. – Setsuna suggested.

- No, no! Go to the hospital, there's a medic girl there who could take better care of it.

- Thanks.

- She's really pretty and you won't believe it, but she has natural pink hair!

- I don't think I… wait, pink?!

- Yes, yes! She came with me from Konoha to teach some of the doctors here. And she's veeery clever, and guess what, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade-hime herself was her sensei!

Kese's smile slowly dropped as he was listening to Tata. It was Setsuna who replied. – Tadao, I don't think he needs her. It's already been tended quite well. Now, back to work.

- But she's just his age! – Tata grabbed his hammer and went to adjust a few ivy leaves and shoots. - And, she can do that pretty healing with her chakra, he just, just, must see it!

- Is she a shinobi? – Kese stopped blowing air with the bellows, so Setsuna could go on with his on part.

- Yup. – he winked suggestively.

- Tata… - he shook his head. – Don't... I don't have any chance at her anyway.

- What? Why? – the others looked at him.

- Those are for the chandelier, right?

- Kese!

- Seriously, guys, look at me! – he snapped. - I am a simple blacksmith! What a pretty and clever kunoichi wants is not a frigging blacksmith!

Both of his colleagues looked away. – At least… - Tata spoke sadly. – You figured it out in time.

He and Sestuna went back to work, and so did Kese. He didn't pay attention to the man's words, his mind wasn't fully there. 'A pretty and clever, pink haired, medic kunoichi from Konoha… Fukasaku talked about her. She is supposed to be a member of my ex-team. If this is true, a meeting with her wouldn't be a good idea. She would recognize me, probably, and I don't want that. No, that would be too soon and too awkward, and I would have to make excuses for not showing up for years, and they'd be disappointed, and, oh my god, no. By the way, I…'

'I can't meet the people of my past until my present isn't in order.'

'The pirates and Ushimaru's thugs are still after me. I'll handle them in the upcoming weeks, and when everything's alright, I'll go to Konoha with Tata and work with him', he glanced at the man. 'I can explore the village then, and see if they recognize me or not, miss me or not, welcome me or not. This sounds good, but after that? I don't know… I'll find out the rest there.'

A smile sat upon his lips, his heart filled with something warm and prickly. 'I will go to Konoha', he repeated in his mind with enthusiasm coming from his plan. He wanted to see the Leaf and meet its people so badly. His work became faster as he remembered his only memory. 'I waved my goodbye to Konoha long ago. Soon, I'll return and embrace it again!'

Setsuna spoke suddenly, drawing him out from the pit of his thoughts. – Kese, have you heard of the sunken ship?

The blond stopped. He was so surprised by the question he even forgot what he had done two nights before. - Sunken ship?

- People say there's a freshly sunken ship nearby. – Tata spoke. He was a bit too hyped again. – That ship was a pirate ship, Kese!

He held a few seconds pause, so the blond could react anything. But he just stood there, staring sleepily at his colleague. - And?

- The ship was full of their corpses!

Kese closed his eyes, and he nearly fell asleep. – Sorry, I'm too tired for this.

- It wasn't an accident. – Setsuna took the opportunity to speak instead of Tadao. He crossed his arms, and somehow waited for the blond's reaction. – The pirates were killed before that. The perpetrators buried their bodies into the sea, and the ship was their coffin.

A flash of surprise was seen on the youngest blacksmith's face, although the news weren't news for him. He knew he should be surprised, and that faking it would be difficult and suspicious. But he was glad Setsuna had used an unusual way of describing things, so he was truly able to be surprised and show it to them, right before he shook his head. – What? Why?

Setsuna untied his arms, then shrugged. – We don't know.

The older blacksmiths returned to their doings, the youngest one stood still for a few more seconds. In the end he shook his head again and joined his colleagues.

Setsuna thought the blond was confused because of the sunken ship. He was wrong. The blond was confused because of Setsuna himself.

The upcoming weeks passed quietly. Kese was hard-working in the forge, and rested in his free time, so his injuries could heal fast. He didn't have strange present-time visions, he didn't use his chakra, and didn't do any other suspicious activities (aside from peeking shyly at Hatsumi from his spot in the forge whenever she came and went). Gamashiro appeared at one night to check him, but his summoner told him to not take visits for a while.

Kese stayed still in another way as well. He listened. He listened to rumours, and he listened to Houchuu's and his two pirates' news. Nezu, the Deacon and their companion were still on the island. The Deacon was visiting families and small communities, silently propagating his religion. The other two sometimes followed him, sometimes not. But by the time Kese could get close to Nezu, they usually disappeared.

He couldn't get information about the remaining pirates and rogue ninja, not more than he had already known. But recent rumours about the shinobi's investigation sounded quite interesting. The people of the island had begun to suspect the mist ninja themselves had killed the pirates, but wanted to cover it with searching for culprits publicly. All because they wanted to make their reputation better, it was said. Due to its policies, relations and "traditions", the main village had gained an infamous nickname, Chigiri no Sato. Village of the Bloody Mist. But since the current Mizukage, Terumii Mei, had taken office, the village had been working on their image to make it more positive and appealing. Hence, as the public said, the shinobi were pointing at unknown, probably rogue ninja, to lead people's attention away from themselves. Kese couldn't help but feel like a fox which stole the hound's prey, and watched the hound getting hit by its master.

Aside from these rumours, there weren't anything useful for the blond about the rogue shinobi and the last pirates. Therefore, he was finally able to turn his attention to Ushimaru's thugs - and luckily he didn't need to wait long for them to show up.

It was the third weekend after his deadly visit on the Suzumebachi. He was sitting alone in the Black Braid Pub, accompanied only by Houchuu's amazing after-drink sandwich. It was about three in the morning, the songs were over, and most of the "larks" had already gone home. Only the usual few drunkards were sleeping on the tables. And there were three strangely familiar men at the other corner of the tavern. They were eyeing Kese the whole night.

When Houchuu's daughter warned the blond about them, he answered with ease. – I know it, Shinya. I noticed them long ago. They're waiting for me to get out of here.

- What do they want from you?

– They want me. – Shinya moaned and rolled her eyes at the chuckling blond. – So… Don't be surprised if I return with a few bruises tonight.

So, yes, he wanted to spar with them and give them a lesson once again. He didn't want to kill them, no. It would be easier for him than simply beating them up, he knew: blades began to suit him more and more, putting his fists to rest. But he did not want to stain his hands as a blacksmith, that's why he had chosen to deal with them without killing them.

Kese took the time to finish the last bites of his sandwich, waited a little for it to sit comfortably in his stomach, then casually left the pub, ready to kick some asses. The thugs of course followed him. He was walking back to his apartment, when three more men blocked the other end of the street. They were staring at him with scary smirks. He glanced back and saw the same expressions.

He noticed an alley on his right and nearly chuckled. 'Alright, guys, let's play this.' He knew it was a trap, but he didn't mind it, he walked right into it. The alley was narrow and if they were to corner him, he wouldn't be attacked by more than two on only two sides.

- You know, you're not paid enough for this! - Kese stopped in the middle of the alley, and spoke loudly to the two men blocking the other end. He couldn't help it, Houchuu's sake had thrown his caution away and made him fearless. He thought he hadn't drunk too much, and it hadn't made him dizzy or slow. He lurched and his tongue slipped intentionally to deceive them. – You know what? I'll give you a chance to lec…rrec…argh, rrreconsider it. - the thugs sniggered like hyenas. – Don't want it? I'm okay with that, you li'l babies.

And with a roar, the first one charged at him. Kese swept his legs, then rammed the next one's head to the wall, and at last turned back to the first and kicked his head into unconsciousness. He wanted to flash a perky smirk at his opponents but he was grabbed and held up from behind. Heavy punches rained onto his abdomen as each of the thugs tried out how it felt to give him pain. It went on for minutes, and the blond felt like he would see his sandwich soon.

He thought he was done. He shouldn't have faced all of them at once, especially in the state he was in. He should have taken them separately, knocking them out one by one to get it done carefully. But he was too bold, and it wasn't completely the drink's fault. He was so angry at himself, at Ushimaru and at the thugs, and he was in despair. He nearly gave up. Nearly gave up.

His opponents dropped him, and as he fell to his knees, he indeed got to see his sandwich again. The thugs chuckled at him, and he used his growing anger to gain strength against them.

One of them grabbed his hair from behind and pulled him up – but he wasn't prepared for an elbow into his stomach, and a devastating headbutt. Kese lurched now unintentionally as he stood up and straightened himself. He wiped his mouth and stared into his surprised opponents' eyes. – Many against one, you coward worms?! - he snarled and spat some blood in front of their shoes. – You fight like the pussies you are!

Oh, the growl that followed this curse! It was so blood-boiling the blond's body trembled by his excitement. He fought well: he landed many blows and kicks on his opponents, but they did on him as well. 'I can't concentrate and move like usually. I should have drunk less. To hell, I shouldn't have drunk at all!', he thought, right before receiving a punch on his cheek. He fell to the ground and didn't seem to get up soon. 'God damn me, and my stupidity! I shouldn't have taken on these guys all alone!', he shook his head to see the men towering above him. He gritted his teeth. 'Now WHAT?!'

To his greatest surprise, the thugs were bulldozed to the wall of the alley, then tossed away. One of them jumped aside and charged at their giant attacker – but before he could have reached him, another someone's punch sent him down to his companions.

Kese's lips curved into a smile when he recognized the two who had just saved him.

- Hey, blondie! – Hagane grinned.

- Do you always have to get yourself beaten? – a dark blue-haired man offered a hand to the blacksmith, which he gladly accepted.

- I thought you didn't like troubles like this, Tetsuji.

The pilot rubbed his aching knuckles and smiled. – Sometimes you have to fight off the brawl to get peace.

Their opponents gathered themselves and stood up in front of them. Six against the three of them was way better than eight against one; and – seeing the reinforcements, especially Hagane - the thugs had apparently less courage and will to fight.

- Ready, blondie?

- Hell yeah!

- … Alive, blondie? – Hagane poked the lying blond's leg with his foot.

- Hell… yeah… - Kese breathed, then chuckled. – This was one damn show, guys! Dear god, I feel like a slice of hammered steak…

- Hah! Up to your feet! – the pirate grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Kese needed a few seconds to not feel dizzy and stand still. The thugs were right in front of him. On the ground, knocked out. Only a few of them were awake, and they were moaning in pain. But all of them lived, as he had wanted.

- Much better. - Tetsuji sighed. – Let's get away before someone sees us.

- Just a moment… - Kese stepped to one of the conscious thugs and grabbed his shirt. – Go and tell Ushimaru to open his ears and listen to the news! There isn't anyone to pay him for me anymore, so he can go and fuck himself until his ass hurts like hell. Understood?

The scared thug nodded with widened eyes, and the blacksmith released him. He turned to the pirates, then they hurried back into Houchuu's pub. Shinya just sighed and shook her head when she saw them all beaten up. The three sat down, Hagane and Tetsuji ordered beer for themselves. – No, thanks, I've had enough for today. – Kese stated when they asked why he refused to drink. He pointed at his face. – Do I have bruises?

- No. But you've got two black eyes, darling. – Houchuu said as she put down the drinks.

- What?! Oh no! Dear god, how will I expl-… Why are you all chuckling?

After this, the other two men were practically crying from laughing. The bartender lady couldn't keep it in as well, she just patted the blond's head and left. Kese blinked at his companions, trying to find out what was going on. Hagane muttered something, but he was laughing so hard, the blacksmith couldn't understand anything of it.

- He said… ehhehe… - Tetsuji rubbed tears out of his eyes. – Khem. Well… "Haven't you come out of the factory with black eyes?"

Kese pouted and narrowed his eyes at the still laughing giant, who nearly fell off his chair thanks to his expression. – If this pleases you, no, I haven't come out of the factory with these eyes.

Hagane did fall off his chair, and Tetsuji almost went after him. They didn't really care about what the blond said, but rather how he said that. The pilot repeated his last word: and there was his hated suffix. It made him blush and fume. – Alright, you can stop it! – he stood up and left for the restroom.

To be sure about it, he checked his face in the mirrors. There wasn't any visible injury on him, at least not yet. Only his cheek was a bit red.

- So… - he sat down at their table. The other two had calmed down and were drinking their beers. - Why are you still with me?

His question surprised the others.

– What do you mean?

– You could have already left the Land of Water by now. Yet, you're still here, and you even saved my ass. Why?

- As for me… - Tetsuji spoke. - I won't leave because this land is my home… I'm thinking of joining a merchant crew or going back to the navy. And, to your second question… I don't know. I think I wanted to thank you for freeing me from my prison of a lifetime. I don't have to live that way anymore. I'll owe you for this forever. Thank you.

The blacksmith blinked, blushing a little while he was listening to the pilot. – Nah… You owe me nothing. And without you I couldn't have got close to them at all. – he was silent for a few seconds, then turned to the giant and examined his face. He didn't mean any danger to him anymore, but Kese still didn't know what to think about him. He came up with a silly idea. – What about you, Hagane?

Tetsuji stopped in the middle of drinking, frowning at his words. The other man put down his own beer mug and stared at the blond. – How do you speak this language? You're not even from there!

- Your accent reminded me of someone, so I decided to give it a try.

- No, no, you don't understand, how in the hell do you know it?!

- Lads, I don't understand a word from what you're talking about! – Tetsuji groaned desperately.

- He spoke a language only a few villages in the Land of Earth know. – Hagane said in Elemental. – How?

– Well, I'm kind of a… genius in languages. – he scratched his head awkwardly, ignoring the looks he got. – But let's get back to my question. Why did you stay and help me, Hagane?

The man turned his head away and tried not paying attention to the blond. It was clear he didn't want to give an answer, but Kese wanted it. After a few minutes of persuasive talk, the man was willing to speak, but only on his native language. - You had the chance to kill me, but you spared me. None of my enemies would have done this to me, blondie. And you did it twice.

- You said this the other day, too. I know the second time, but when was the first?

- At your home island.

Kese thought about the nights when he had confronted the pirates. Hagane had been there only at the latest occasion, when he, Nezu and the others had wanted to take him and his chakra. The blacksmith had though he had killed the giant with his mace then, but he hadn't been surprised when they had met in the storeroom in Tesseineko.

Then the blond remembered a faint memory. It was the memory of one of his clones from that night. They had been carrying the pirates into their boats, and one of them had found Hagane alive and slightly awake. The clone had raised a knife to kill him, but changed his mind and put it away.

Kese leaned back and stared at the bearded giant. - That night, huh? – the other nodded.

- And don't forget who's got us out of Tesseineko! Your idea saved our ass.

They chuckled at this, and they chuckled at Tetsuji huffing because he didn't understand their talk. A few minutes later Kese stood up. - I'm going now. Thanks again-

- Hey, blondie!

- Yeah?

- Your name?

The blacksmith smiled. – It's Kese. Kovács Kese.

- Kese! Hey, Kese! Are you here?

- Huh, yeah?

Tata looked at the blushing blond, then at the person he had been staring at from a distance, then he grinned at him. – You like her, don't you?

- I d-don't know what you're t-talking about. – his whole face and even his ears became painted with a dark shade of pink, not only his cheeks. Tadao giggled at him and it made him even more embarrassed. – I-I… was… just, ugh, just curious why she's here. I-I mean, she usually comes in the afternoon, with a horde of children. We're in the morning, and, and she's here. I just… wondered why.

- Maybe Setsuna didn't bring his son to the kindergarten in time. You know, his wife works a lot nowadays and doesn't have time for this. Or maybe she wants to talk to him about something. I don't know. Hey, see?! - Setsuna appeared with his son. They exchanged a few words, then the kindergarten teacher left with the child. The blacksmith noticed them, and when the two reached him, another week began.

The blond's days had been this easy and calm. No one tried to attack him, which he liked very much. The storm of the rumours about the pirates' strange death and the shinobi investigation had been gone for a good while. The remaining pirates and rogue ninja were a more difficult story. The blond had asked Houchuu, Tetsuji and Hagane to find reliable clues about them. They had managed to get information about only one, and Kese had quickly found him, hiding in the maze of a nearby swamp. But as for the others, they were still hiding. The same could be said for Nezu.

It was the middle of October already. The Mizukage building was almost finished, but had been in use for a few days now. It was inaugurated on the third anniversary of the latest war. There were commemorations and big parties in every hidden village, and the blacksmith trio didn't have to work during those days. Kese did not celebrate with the shinobi, he didn't feel he should. "It's their party", he kept telling it to himself, because he couldn't accept he should be celebrating with them, and not only because he was just a civilian who liked to go out. But because he knew he had taken part in their victory as well. As a full-time shinobi. He was so into being a blacksmith that he still couldn't believe he had been a ninja once.

His colleagues were surprised when he told them he wouldn't go to the celebrations, but instead he was going on a trip to meet an old friend. Well, he wasn't lying: he went to visit the toads at Myoubokuzan. Gamashiro missed him so much, he was literally glued to his summoner's face for a full minute before he let him go. Kese stayed to train and learn a few techniques which could aid him against his last opponents. With the help of Fukasaku, he was able to learn the Kirigakure no Jutsu he had seen during Choujuurou's genin's training, and create mist around him. But when he tried to learn his father's Flying Thunder God technique from his inherited memories, he got stuck. He just couldn't grasp it, no matter how much he tried, not even the toads could help him in that. He was so disappointed and sad.

He returned to Kirigakure the night before his next workday, and he realized something. His work with Tadao and Setsuna was getting to its end. Only a few ornaments remained to be made. – We could forge everything in about a week. – Kese told them when they met, and they decided to work slower. They wanted to win a few more days of payment and being together. And there was another thing. Setsuna's wife, who worked in the Mizukage Office as an assistant, said that the Mizukage would visit them in the near future. The blacksmiths were excited, and wanted to show her their best, so they kept the forge extra clean. At least it even helped them get some more time.

The blond didn't notice at first that they were finished for the day. His mind was all around Hatsumi, and he hoped she would take Setsuna's son home, so he could see her. He felt so awkward when the others had to wake him from his daydreaming again.

Tadao and Setsuna had prepared a few boxes of their finished works, and it was Kese who was to help Setsuna at carrying them to the new Mizukage Building. But he hadn't even changed his clothes and he had accidentally managed to cover himself in ash, so Tata was to go instead of him. Exactly one minute before that, Setsuna's son appeared in the door. Along with Hatsumi.

Kese was blushing so wildly, he was glad his face was covered in ash. He couldn't get his attention off the kindergarten teacher. He was following her with his eyes even after she left. 'Next time, I'll definitely ask her out!', he vowed like every other afternoon she had appeared so far. And in that certain moment, someone stepped to him.

It was Setsuna. He was shaking his head. – You better not think about it.

- About what?

- About her. – Kese frowned at him. – Hatsumi is married.

And with this, he left the blond there. Soon, Kese was completely left there, in the forge, all alone. The others went out and he was asked to clean up. He answered with a short "okay", but couldn't say more.

He was shocked by what Setsuna had told him. It shocked him so much he couldn't move for a while. He couldn't believe that young woman, or rather girl, was already married. Which meant he had never had a tiny chance at her all along.

He tried to collect himself. He had to collect himself. The world didn't wait for anyone, and he still had things to do. 'Don't be like this, Kese. This ship departed long ago anyway. You'll find another, so don't be upset… Just, don't be…', he tried to comfort himself. He had to keep his mind busy. He cleaned up the forge too quickly. He had to do something until the others got back. He sniffed under his arm: he smelled awful, and decided to get washed before heading home. He stripped to the waist and went to the basin across the forge. He kept on his apron so his trousers wouldn't get wet.

He caught himself staring at the flow. 'Oh my god, wake up!', he shook his head and gathered some water and raised it to wash his face. 'Why is my hair in the way? Great, it got wet too. It's long enough to fuck with me, but too short to tie it back. Oh, god, I should go and get it cut.' He moaned. He didn't feel like it. 'How would I look with a long mane? Hm… Certainly awesome. I think I'll try it. I wonder if Hatsumi would like it that w- god dammit, get your mind off her!'

'Alright, I'm almost finished, what to do next?', he was thinking about it, when he felt something, or rather someone's presence in the forge. He grabbed a towel and rubbed his face into it, then he felt a hand on his back. He turned around rapidly.

- Good afternoon. – a smile greeted and surprised him.

The smile belonged to a pair of luscious lips. And those lips belonged to a fine woman. Her auburn hair almost reached the ground, and it covered one of her green eyes. Her blue dress fitted her body perfectly: it showed enough to catch a man's attention, but covered enough to not be too revealing. And she was tall, almost the same height as the blond. "Her thighs must look wonderful when naked!" was Kese's first impression of her and he almost slapped himself for it.

- Good afternoon. – he blinked and greeted her after a short pause. – I-I'm surprised to see a beautiful lady such as yourself here. - 'Oh, dear god, did I really say that?!', he thought at first, but noticed the woman liked his compliment. – How can I help you?

She looked around with enthusiasm. – Is this the workshop where those fantastic wrought iron ornaments were made?

- Yes, it is.

- Then you must be the owner, Setsuna. – she smiled at him.

- Actually… - Kese scratched his head. He just noticed he still had his towel in his hand. He folded it loosely and put it back to its place. – I'm not him.

- Oh… oh, of course, you're a little young to be him. – she stepped to him and in all of a sudden, she decided to fidget with his still wet hair. – And a little blond, too.

Her fingers caressed his cheek as she turned back and stepped away. Kese lost his focus for a moment. – Are you working here as well?

- Yeah. – he scolded himself in his head for pacing out and staring at her bottom for so long. But he had just caught her seductive eye discretely checking out his bare chest and it made him smirk. She saw it and turned her gaze away to look around in the forge.

He had to notice their age difference however. She was ten or even more than twelve years older than him. Despite of this and him mourning his heart, she made him, well, excited. 'Thank god I still have my apron on!', he thought. – Khm… If you're looking for Setsuna… - she turned back to him. – He went to the new Mizukage Building with our co-worker. He'll be back soon.

- Great! I'll go and find him then. – she smiled happily, then walked to the entrance. – I hope we meet again soon.

- So do I. – he didn't notice, but he had the same "inviting" smile on his lips. - Have a nice day!

- Same to you. - and with this she blew a kiss towards him, then disappeared.

Kese didn't have to think about a topic to talk about when his colleagues returned to the forge.

- … you should have stayed to see her, she was absolutely sexy, and… By the way, did she find you? Hey, why are you staring at me like that?

- Kese, do you know at all who she was?

- No? Should I? – Setsuna and Tetsuji nodded. - What's her name?

- Terumii Mei.

The blond raised an eyebrow, then thought about it for a moment. In all of a sudden, his eyes went wide and he gaped.

- No way! Terumii Mei?! That Terumii Mei?! – he received nods again. – D-did I flirt with the Mizukage?!

The other blacksmiths chuckled at him. And Kese was doubly glad he had his apron on.