Naruto: A Red Eye Hidden by Shadow

by Tatanka4Life

On the fateful night of the Uchiha Massacre, a girl of Uchiha and Nara blood is spared and left with no memories of her past. Now she must walk on the path left by her family to help her build a new future for herself. Her path will be hard, full of struggles and pain, but as long as she has her friends and family at her side she will keep forging ahead, even if it was a drag.

181. Chapter 180: A Knife in the Dark

Chapter 180

A Knife in the Dark: The Darkness Within our Walls, the Lights in our Hearts

The passenger ship's bow cut smoothly through the calm sea, sailing undisturbed for Degarashi Port in the Land of Tea.

There, at the Wasabi Family controlled port, the shinobi would disembark and resume their journey on foot to the Land of Fire, where Haku and Natsumi would take their leave from the company and set off for Midoriya Port—a major harbor on the eastern border of the Land of Fire, known for and named after the green valley vistas surrounding it.

From there they had a straight shot to the Land of Water; it was one of the few ports without travel restrictions to and from the island Nation.

For now, however, they had yet to disembark. The passenger ship sailed along calmly, contrasting the chaotic storm they'd passed through to reach the Land of the Moon. Sunlight glittered silver over the watery surface as the sun crawled its way to the horizon, slowly evolving hour by hour from evening to night. There was a mild chill in the air.

At the nose of the ship, with the descending sun at her back, Amari leaned on the railing, listening to how the sea split around the bow, thoughts drawn to home as she gazed out at the endless horizon.

She wished it was home sickness she felt, like their mission to the Land of Waves—her first time ever leaving home to fulfill a mission as a shinobi. She wished her mind and heart were thinking of the precious people waiting there.

If only such calming thoughts existed. Although the environment around her existed in serenity, lacking the chaos of the storm or the heat of conflict, her mind was overcome by battering gales imitating that awful storm. Joyful memories, warm faces, and laughter could not rise above the freezing waves churning, smashing, and rocking her once peaceful mind.

Instead, her thoughts actively lingered in the darkest corner. Far beneath the cold depths. Deep, deeper, drowning in an immemorial abyss which entangled the Uchiha and the Leaf in the grotesque and gnarled root system of a malignant tree planted long ago.

The Foundation turned Yakumo Kurama against Mom.

Amari was calmer than she anticipated. Without Osamu's full report, detailing the conflicts resolution, there would've been a rut paced from bow to stern. The ambience of splitting water and the cool sea breeze on her skin helped. It provided a focal point to ground herself with, drawing her to the present serenity even as her mind lingered in the abyss.

I didn't know Mom ever taught anyone besides Hinata. Even Hinata didn't know Yakumo existed.

They were both speechless, stunned Kurenai had been bearing such a painful burden in secret all this time…while they—her daughter and student—never noticed a thing. They never sensed the conflict or the hurts within the woman who had helped them overcome their conflicts, who had healed their hurts.

It was a difficult pill to swallow. But they weren't alone in the dark. Everyone not directly involved with Yakumo were kept out of the loop.

Kakashi-sensei knew Mom had taken on a student from the Kurama Clan, but he hadn't known why Mom stopped training Yakumo suddenly. I bet even Asuma-sensei didn't know the intimate details; he's not the type to push against a wound, especially when its fresh and raw.

Then I came along. Me and my mysterious, impossible existence diverted everyone's attention from Yakumo. She was left alone, her power Sealed away.

And the Foundation—Danzō, that bastard—capitalized on it.

Amari exhaled a soft breath, lay her forearms along the railing. She leaned forward and rested her chin on them, narrowing her eyes as she stared into the distance.

Danzō Shimura was not an enemy she could trifle with. From the very beginning he had either assumed or discovered her identity. Learning Kurenai was her guardian wouldn't have taken any effort, and it worked in his favor, for there was already someone he could manipulate into becoming his tool to remove Madara's ancestor. Someone with ties to Kurenai who, with the right motivation, would come to hate Amari with all her being.

Thus he sowed seeds of darkness within Yakumo when she was at her lowest moment, when she felt betrayed and abandoned by her Sensei and her Village. He twisted the hurt child, seized upon her isolation and ignorance of the monster's existence to exploit her Clan's kekkei genkai to his advantage, preparing an entire incident years before they ever physically crossed paths.

His goal, from what they all gathered—Mist shinobi included, for they were present when Osamu suddenly appeared—was obvious: Remove three obstacles or threats to the Leaf and his power.

Yakumo was a pawn to achieve it, and a piece to remove for her kekkei genkai; Amari bet he saw it as too dangerous to exist, and the Third Hokage as too soft-hearted for not eliminating the girl and the monster before they became too powerful.

Then there was Kurenai—both the source of hatred he'd chosen to twist Yakumo with so masterfully, and now an obstacle to be removed due to her proximity and connection to the Uchiha.

And I was to be his third victim, initially. Remove me, remove my bloodline, and make it all look like Yakumo lost herself to hatred. Twist her into the dangerous entity he already feared, just like the Second taught him. The Foundation would never be implicated, because she would be slain either by Mom or by a Foundation agent waiting in the shadows once the dust settled.

However, given the nature of the attack and when it occurred, since I was far out of the Leaf, its safe to assume there were two new targets added to his plot: Fū and Mimi.

Danzō Shimura was a dangerous man. Very dangerous. Worst of all, he would get away with his scheme to use Yakumo without a single punishment. Because all they had were suspicions of his involvement—suspicions Amari felt certain in, but suspicions weren't evidence.

It wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.

Yakumo never met him in person. She never met a Foundation agent, either. They spoke through closed doors, delivered a picture of the Uchiha by slipping it beneath her bedroom door. But without direct contact, without a face or a name or anything else to confirm the Foundation's involvement, it could be any rogue operative with a grudge—like Mizuki.

It could be a spy of Orochimaru or a spy within the Leaf from one of the other Great Nations. It could even be a member of the Kurama Clan acting in secret, as they tried to do in assassinating Yakumo.

Without solid evidence, they were better off accusing a vengeful ghost from the time of yore than the Foundation. And Danzō knew it. He was an expert at this deadly game they were now playing. He was willing to use anyone—a hurt child like Yakumo was a perfect target for his schemes. He was willing to remove anyone, including a powerful Jōnin like Kurenai, if it meant achieving his goals.

I cannot underestimate this man, the Nara thought, sobered by the severity of it all. He's as dangerous as the Masked Man, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki. I knew that, of course. But to know he's had a plan like this just waiting in the wings all these years…

Amari shut her eyes. She inhaled a long breath, then exhaled.

You understand your enemy a little more, day by day. Attack by attack. Learn quickly. Learn everything you can and prepare. It's the only way to counter an enemy like him.

She opened her eyes at the quiet approach of gentle chakra. Raising her head off her forearms, but still leaning on the railing, she turned her head to see its owner, who offered a kind smile as he neared.

"May I join you?" Haku asked.

"Of course."

Beside her now, Haku rested his hands on the railing.

"Are you all right?" he asked. "You've been staring off at the horizon for some time now."

"Mm," she hummed, but flattened her lips together. "I've just been processing everything Osamu told us. And everything we all talked about afterwards."

"The darkness our Villages harbor within their walls, yes?"

"Yeah." She rose onto her tiptoes and leaned over the edge, looking down at the waves rolling away from the vessel. "There was a time the Leaf felt safe to me. It was my home."

"And now?"

"Now…" She exhaled a soft breath through her nostrils, lowered onto her heels. "Now it's starting to feel like another battlefield. Another stretch of land to be ground beneath a silent war. A 'bloodless' war, waged with influence and fought in the shadows by a handful of shinobi. With innocent people cruelly being used as pawns."

Haku turned towards her. "You aren't to blame for what occurred with Yakumo Kurama, Amari."

"I know," she nodded once, staring off into the distance. "It's the Foundation's fault. They twisted her hurts, turned her into a disposable tool. They carved her into a pawn to remove me and Mom, using her Clan's kekkei genkai to their advantage so that, when the time came, they could remove her, too. She was a 'threat' to the Leaf, after all.

"I couldn't have changed anything back then," Amari shook her head. "I know that. I was too timid to reach my hand out. Too weak. Seeing me at that time probably would've made Yakumo resent Mom even more, based on what Osamu told us. And had I been on that mission…well, the Foundation likely would've fulfilled one of their objectives."

One portrait was all it would've taken, apparently. A stroke of a paintbrush and then…

With another soft exhale, Amari straightened her posture.

"Every move he makes is calculated. He's playing the long game because he has the time and resources at his disposal. He's way more dangerous than I ever could've imagined when Shisui first mentioned the Foundation.

"But I can't remove them yet. I can't burn the whole Foundation to the ground, I'm not prepared to wage that full-scale war. But I will be, in time. Until I am, I'll keep laying the groundwork for that day. I'll gain the influence I need, I'll blaze my trail, and one day he'll find that the shadows he has found shelter in for so long are under my control.

"First, though, I'll reach my hand out to Yakumo and help her heal these hurts the Foundation caused." She looked to Haku with a smile. "That's what a sister student should do, don't you think?"

Haku smiled warmly, nodded. "I believe you are right. I also believe the Foundation have sorely underestimated how dangerous you are."

"I hope they do. It'll be the last mistake they ever make."

"Very true," Haku said.

For a moment they said nothing. They listened to the ship cutting smoothly through the calm sea, savoring the quiet moment together. It was nice. His presence kept her mind from drifting back into the abyss.

"Our mission together will soon be over," Haku broke the silence. "It is selfish of me, but… I wish for more time. There is still much I haven't had a chance to ask you. Much I haven't had a chance to say."

"Maybe it's time for us to be selfish for a moment," Amari offered. She pressed her hands into the railing and, with a hop, vaulted her legs over it, sitting upon the metal. "I can't say this is a very comfortable seat, but," she pat the railing beside her, "if you'd like to join me…"

The words barely left her lips when Haku hopped up, sitting next to her.

"So, where would you like to start?" Amari asked. "Any groundbreaking discoveries? New jutsus? Want to help me plot my revenge on Zabuza?"

"Hmhmhm," Haku chuckled warmly at her jest. "As his student it is likely my duty to try to stop you."

"But you won't."

"Perhaps I hope you two will reconcile peacefully," he smiled.

"If he keeps insinuating I'll never grow taller or become a woman, there's no amount of begging or pleading he can do that will stop me from destroying him. Preferably after I've slapped his eyebrows onto and then off of that mean old man's face."

"You've already grown taller since we last met," Haku said. "And I have no doubt you will grow taller as you mature into a woman."

"I hope so." Amari dropped her head in defeat. "Somedays it feels like this is as tall as I'm going to be."

"Height alone doesn't define a woman. Or a man, for that matter."

"But it sure makes reaching high shelves easier."

Haku blinked. He then brought his hand to his mouth, shoulders shaking with a soft laugh.

"Hakuuu," she whined playfully, emboldened by his laughter. "You're laughing at my agonizing, lifelong quarrel with upper cabinetry!"

"I apologize," he said, a laugh in his voice. "I had no idea how deep-seated this quarrel truly was."

"The menace of upper cabinetry is no laughing matter!" she declared, poking him in the side. "For years they have shamed me. They sit high and mighty above us all, laughing at me from their self-righteous balconies as I feebly try to reach them. As I climb countertops and rise onto my tiptoes, they sneer at my— stop laughing!" she giggled, poking the boy again. "I'm trying to give an impassioned speech! To declare my war upon this undying menace that has haunted the children of the past, that haunts those of the present, and will haunt them in the future if we don't topple this monstrous status quo! Think of the children, Haku!"

Haku's shoulders shook as he laughed. It was a pleasant, calming sound.

Reaching her finger out to poke him again, she was met by Haku's hand, which gently wrapped around here middle, ring, and pinky finger, while capturing her pointer between his pointer and middle finger. There was no great exertion of pressure, however. No binding hold preventing her from pulling back. Yet she let her smaller hand be captured—held—in his gentle grasps.

"I am certain," he said, smiling a warm smile, "the children, like you, will one day conquer the menace of the upper cabinetry. Give it time."

Amari smiled. "Your patience and kindness never ceases to inspire me."

"Perhaps you've rubbed off on me," he replied kindly.

"Mm, I appreciate you saying that, but you were this way before we met." Amari uncurled her three captured fingers and interlaced them with Haku's. "And I'll always be grateful for that. For you existing in this world of ours."

Haku gave her hand a warm squeeze. "I feel the same about you."

The ship continued on its journey to Degarashi Port. Calmly. Without the chaos of a powerful storm or the conflict of shinobi.

In the serenity, Haku's hand resting on top of hers, they spoke at length on a variety of subjects. Some were minor asides, random and forgotten by night's end. Others were lengthy topics, filled with heartfelt emotions they bore openly.

They would stand upon the railing at times; it was truly not a comfortable seat in the slightest. They would even walk along it, balancing as talk of the Hero World and all that occurred within transformed into a discussion about Shisui and her memories of him.

Eventually they would come to sit at the highest point of the passenger ship, above the bridge, as the sun was setting.

There, together, speaking of everything and nothing at all, the darkness within the walls of their Villages ceased to exist.

For that selfish moment, there was just them. Just Amaririsu and Haku.

Neither would've traded it for all the riches in the world.

However, beyond their selfish moment, across the sea, the darkness still existed. It had prowled in silent stillness, waiting for its chance to slip a knife into the heart of a threat to the Leaf.

Now, as the sun surrendered its reign to darkness, the shadow prepared to pounce upon its target…

---

Yakumo Kurama, the target of his reconnaissance, was under quite the tight security.

Following the events at the villa she once occupied, Yakumo Kurama, Unkai Kurama, and the members of their Clan injured in their assassination attempt were all checked into the Leaf hospital.

At a safe distance, and from the shadows, the young boy with dark eyes, black hair, and translucent-looking pale skin monitored the ongoing situation. As Lord Danzō instructed.

He maintained his distance from the hospital even now, utilizing his special ink creations to gather Intel while he concealed his presence beyond Kurenai Yūhi's immediate sensory range, as well as the net the Crows of the Leaf had doubtlessly drawn over the hospital with the Seven-Tails jinchūriki so near.

I won't be able to enter the hospital with the Crows and a Sensory Type here. They're certainly trying to make this difficult, aren't they?

The boy wasn't bothered. He felt nothing at all, frankly. He merely focused on waiting for his drawings to return, seated still as stone in a small cubbyhole atop an inn's roof. It was a good spot. No one could see him here, hidden by the shadows and the tight walls. He kept the hood of his grey cloak drawn over his head to defend against the light snowfall.

Skittering paws drew his emotionless gaze to the entry of the cubbyhole. Rats constructed of black ink scurried into view. He unrolled his scroll and counted his constructions as they leapt back onto the page.

One, two, three, four, five, six…

The young boy blinked. He rolled up his scroll without a sound, without reading the report, and silently slipped out of the cubbyhole.

One of his creations hadn't returned. His presence was compromised, his position may be the nex—

The sharp song of the katana began and ended abruptly, whistling into silence as it paused mere inches from his Adam's apple. He halted. He kept his entire body still; his chest barely rose and fell with every steady breath. The katana, he noticed, glinted as melting snow dripped off the blade.

One wrong move and crimson would paint the cold steel.

Glancing to his left, he saw the wielder—a woman donning a white cloak, wearing a cat-motif mask marked by three red stripes. A Crow bearing plumage colored black and silver was perched on her shoulder.

"Humans have contrived many methods to handle rodent populations," the Crow spoke, voice as smooth as silk, tinged by sadistic mirth. "So many kinds of poisons, traps, oils; you are spoiled for choice! However, these solutions are only temporary. They will remove the immediate infestation, but, given time, another will take its place. Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of rodents.

"Thus, in order to keep the rodent population under control at all times, it is far more economical to employ a cat," the Crow explained. "You see, cats are the rodents natural predator. It matters not whether the rodents skitter in light or shadows, for cats can and will hunt them no matter the hour. And what parts they do not feast upon, well," the Crow smiled cruelly, "you can leave it to the crows to clean up their leftovers."

"Huh. So, does that mean I am being hunted by you?" he asked to the woman wearing a cat-motif mask.

She said nothing. Her cold brown eyes pierced his being.

"Think of this as a warning," the Crow answered calmly. Politely, even. "Imagine your tail is caught beneath a cat's paw, and though the cat could kill you, it has mercifully decided to let you skitter off into your den without a single scratch."

"Now why would you do that, I wonder?"

"Because, like your ink rodents, you can only deliver my warning to your Lord while alive."

"I see."

"Now, listen closely, child, for I do not wish to repeat myself. When you reiterate this message to your Lord, do so word for word. You are used to memorizing such messages, yes? Good. Your nod was unnecessary, but I appreciate an avid listener.

"Danzō," her message began, "the situation regarding Yakumo Kurama's kekkei genkai was resolved peacefully. Without bloodshed. The monster that was fostered within her subconscious by an unseen hand has ceased to exist, as confirmed by Kurenai Yūhi, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Tonbo Tobitake. Do not send another assassin against a Leaf citizen. I will not return the next rat to you in one piece."

He eyed the pair in silence for a moment, dark eyes narrowed beneath his mask and hood. He wondered how long they had known his position for. He wondered how much they knew of the mission Lord Danzō designated him, how much they inferred, and what they were ignorant of.

He wondered if he should pretend to return to headquarters before returning to his mission. But…

He looked at the cat-motif mask. Then at the Crow. A strange sensation prickled along his skin. One he knew not the name of. He shouldn't have felt anything at all. Yet despite the chill in the air his skin was warm—hot. His hairs stood on end.

It was strange. His mission was clear, but…

"I will deliver your message to Lord Danzō," he said.

"Wise decision, child. For if you did not, I would simply have to repeat myself to the next agent he sent."

The sword lowered from his throat.

"I suspect your talents will only grow in the years to come," the Crow said, eyeing him seriously. "I sincerely hope we do not cross paths again. For your sake."

The cat-motif masked woman took a step back.

"Do not return," the woman commanded.

Then they dissolved amid black feathers.

The young boy stood amid the snow, still as stone. He pursed his lips beneath his mask, then raised his right hand.

It was trembling.

Why was it trembling?

The young boy vanished from the rooftop soon after. He would need to report this message to Lord Danzō immediately.

It would appear Yakumo Kurama was out of their reach. For now, at least.

---

Degarashi Port was alive and well when they arrived. Busy, too. Everyone from fishermen and dock workers, to sailors on shore leave and shoppers visiting the stands, shops, lodges, and inns traversed the port, creating a rather peacefully organized chaos.

There isn't any of the tension like before, Amari observed as they strolled along towards the exit. No one's sitting upon the edge of a knife, waiting for a Wagarashi thug to come collect or wreck their shops and stands. They're thriving by comparison. Makes me wonder, had we not successfully protected Idate, if Aoi and the Wagarashi runner would've succeeded, how different would this place be? Would we have been allowed entry at the port from the Land of the Moon?

Would they have squeezed us for some kind of tax?

Would this port have crumbled beneath the corruption?

Amari paused to watch a group of children pass a ball around. She could scarcely recall seeing any children when they were here last.

Every mission we take, she thought, has the chance to effect this world of ours. Every mission has the chance to effect the worlds of our clients, and even innocent bystanders we may never know personally. Our mission to the Land of the Moon has proven that to me in so many ways. From working together with the Mist, to Queen Koyuki and King Michiru meeting, to the Chakra Armor we fought and now being here again…

This, she thought, is precisely what you meant, Haya.

"A single act can change the course of history. A single person can change the world. Never doubt that."

I won't, she promised herself. I won't forget it. I can't promise I'll always make the right choice, or that I'll always know what the right answer is, but I'll always keep this in mind as I search for true peace. Even if the memories you shared with me fade away, I'll remember how significant a butterfly can be. Because a single flutter of its tiny wings can alter everything. Entire worlds, even.

And every person we save is an entire world saved. Right, Haya?

"Amari?"

Hinata's voice woke her from her thoughts. Looking away from the children, she saw the whole unit standing a few strides ahead. They were looking at her or off at the children passing the ball, stretching their senses out in search of a threat.

"Are you all right?" Hinata asked.

I hope you found your peace. You earned your rest from war.

Amari smiled, nodded once. "Yep. Just reminiscing, I suppose. Last time I was here it was a whole lot different because of the squabble between the Wasabi Family and Wagarashi Family. Lots of tension. Lots of thugs roaming about, hurting honest working people. I'm glad to see how well this place looks under Boss Jirōchō's leadership."

"Oh, I see," Hinata smiled.

"The Land of Tea Escort Mission," Kakashi mused, looking from her to the people around the port. "It was your first mission as squad leader. You not only helped the Wasabi Family win the dedication ceremony by protecting their runner, but you captured Aoi as well—a Leaf Village rogue who stole the Second Hokage's Blade of Thunder Spirit and tortured Ibiki years ago for Leaf Village secrets."

Aoi and Idate, Amari recalled. Aoi manipulated Idate, Mr. Ibiki's little brother, into becoming a rogue years ago. When we met him he was pretty stubborn and annoying, at first. But he showed his true colors by the end. He showed us why Boss Jirōchō believed in him, and I'd like to think we helped him to believe in himself.

As for Aoi… Amari frowned in discomfort. We handed him over to Mr. Ibiki for interrogation after our mission was over, but I never would've imagined where his path would reach its end. To die as Mizuki's sacrifice to Reanimate Lady Mito…

Pity was all she could offer the rogue now.

"Huh. So it was you and your team who helped Jirōchō Wasabi gain control. Guess we owe you one," Natsumi said thoughtfully.

Amari tilted her head. "You do?"

"Lady Mei and Jirōchō Wasabi have been in discussions over trade and the natural pirate problem our Nations share." Natsumi shrugged. "Takes a while to get messages back and forth, but they've been productive discussions. Honestly, deal is pretty much settled and stands to be profitable for both of our Nations. Seeing how this port looks… Well, good news will taste even sweeter with those chocolates."

"Is it safe to assume Lady Mei also seeks a neutral ground for future meetings with Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi wondered.

Natsumi smirked at the man. "You're pretty quick, Kakashi."

He eye smiled. "I wouldn't have survived this long if I wasn't."

"True."

"It seems your influence spreads farther than you realize, Amari," Haku said, smiling.

"Hehe," she rubbed the back of her head bashfully. "Guess so. Anyway, sorry to hold us up. Let's keep moving."

---

By nightfall the squad of shinobi had come to settle at the border of the Land of Tea and Land of Fire.

Tomorrow, Hinata knew, their paths would diverge. Their joint-mission was over, their units had to split into two once again and part ways for an indeterminable time. But not forever. Someday in the future another mission would bring their Villages together again, whether in a shared act of defiance against the Stone's imperialistic campaign, an unrelated joint-operation like this one, or perhaps to destroy the final poisonous seeds of the Crimson Flowers.

We'll meet again someday, thought the former heiress. And when we do, I hope… I will be stronger than I was on this mission. I will be someone my comrades can rely on.

Seated by the crackling fire, draped in a cloak and blanket, Hinata watched tiny embers rise towards the star-filled sky amid a ribbon of smoke. Next to her, eyes shut, arms crossed, and chin tucked into her steadily rising and falling chest was Natsumi; the kunoichi crossed her ankles ahead of her, leaning on the old, moss covered log Hinata sat upon as she rested.

Across the fire Kakashi stood alone, gazing at the stars. Hinata wondered where her Captain's mind lingered; she hoped it was somewhere pleasant and serene, resembling this final night they would spend with their comrades. Amari and Haku were somewhere beyond the warm flickering glow, subsumed in twilights cloak as they hunted for additional kindling.

A crisp pop set loose a string of embers amid the rising grey ribbon.

Their mission was ultimately successful. Overall she had performed well, Hinata felt. She felt like she had kept up with her comrades, more or less. But…

"Uh-oh," Natsumi's sadistic purr rumbled within her mind. "Looky what I caught. A little goblin who likes to poison her prey and watch them suffer. Looks like your poison has finally worn off. How so very unfortunate for you."

In the heat of battle her comrade—friend—was poisoned. She panicked upon seeing her overwhelmed by the enemy, scrambled to understand why her reaction time was all wrong, and in the process she lost focus at a critical moment. She lost control of the Titan, and thus lost control of the entire battle in an instant.

The Titan capitalized on her failure with a devastating counter, and had he been any closer when he attacked with his Wind Nature Jutsu, had she not made even a meager attempt at erecting a defense with her Protective Eight Trigrams…

Hinata wriggled beneath her blanket, disturbed by the unpleasant thought.

She was lucky this time. They both were.

"Should've picked something that did more than slow down my reaction times. Something deadly."

Despite being the medic-ninja of their unit, she was ill-prepared to handle any kind of poison—deadly or otherwise. She would've been helpless to save her comrade, just as she had been helpless to save King Kakeru.

That kunoichi could have stopped toying with Natsumi at any moment. She could've killed her before she could erect a Barrier, Hinata thought, considering the worst possibilities, and feeling her heart sink. Or I may not have regained consciousness soon enough, and that man could've punched his way through the Barrier to Natsumi, leaving her vulnerable to a two on one assault.

It's true I have improved. However, I haven't improved enough, she judged. There is still so much more I must learn as a medical-ninja, so much I must train for in order to truly say I can stand shoulder to shoulder beside my comrades. I have to train harder so I do not let them down, like I nearly let Natsum—

"Eep!" Hinata tugged her leg away from the sharp pinching sensation built at her left calf.

Natsumi's snort drew her gaze downward, just as her hand retreated back to her side.

"Na- Natsumi," she gasped, startled, flushed, and relieved all at the same time.

"Don't brood at the sky and you won't get pinched. It's a beautiful night."

"It… It is," Hinata agreed, looking at the sky full of stars again.

"What's eating at you?"

"I still have a long way to go," she began after a thoughtful moment. "I feel I was able to stand beside all of you on this mission. I tried my best to, at least. However, I also see where my skills were lacking. Moments where I wasn't strong enough, or possessed the skill necessary to…truly bear the responsibility entrusted to me as a medical-ninja."

"You did stand beside us, you self-conscious little gremlin," said Natsumi, rolling eyes tangible in her voice. "There's no ifs or buts about it, so you better not start psyching yourself out about your performance. You did everything that was expected of you, and more. And you can tell those old idiots in your Clan I said that if they try to question you. Heh," she snorted and grinned cheekily, "tell them you had people trying to catch their death in the ocean just so you'd cut them out of their clothes."

Hinata flushed, averted her eyes from the sky to several random spots on the ground before inevitably looking at the Mizukage's assistant.

"I… You will never let me forget that, will you?"

"Nope. Blackmail is my trade."

"…You are incorrigible."

"It's a part of my charm," Natsumi winked.

Hinata, face flushed, swallowed roughly. She prayed her father never found out. Prayed Amari never recalled the incident, or that Natsumi never found a reason to use it as blackmail for any purposes. Even teasing.

She also tried to keep the memory of the following…incident with Natsumi under lock and key, afraid her friend might sense even the slightest fluctuation of chakra, seize upon it, and leave her hiding underneath another blanket until her face stopped burning.

"Anyway, you've nothing to be ashamed of," Natsumi continued, thankfully without teasing her further. "You were an integral part of our success. I won't accept you suggesting otherwise."

"I appreciate you saying that," Hinata said sincerely. "I really do. But, although what you say may be true—"

"It is true. You saved Hikaru, Amaririsu, and fought like hell to help me when I was pinned down. I was the whole reason you got hurt in the first place. I know that. I let you down back there."

"N- no!" Hinata shook her head fervently. "That's not true at all. You didn't let me down. I was the one—"

"You lost focus because I couldn't defend myself. You were doing perfectly fine before that. I was poisoned by some scrub, I was at her mercy, and you got caught between trying to protect me and defending yourself; it's pretty pathetic of me, honestly."

"You aren't pathetic," she said softly, yet with unfaltering belief in those words. "You're amazing, Natsumi."

The Mist kunoichi cocked an eyebrow at her. "I think the cold water fried your brain, talking nonsense like that."

"It isn't nonsense," Hinata shook her head again, this time in gentle and heartfelt dismissal of Natsumi's attempt to brush aside the compliment. "You are amazing. You're so strong and confident. You're kind. Nothing ever seems to get by you, and… If I was the one poisoned, you could've protected me. You possess the strength and skill to do it, while I…"

Hinata frowned, memories of the fight flashing through her mind. Her panic, her inability to reach Natsumi, to keep the Titan at bay; she lost complete control of herself and the situation.

"I wasn't able to do anything to protect you," she said. "The moment I lost focus, I was overwhelmed. But you, Amari, or Haku," or Naruto, "you all possess the strength and the ability to defend a wounded or poisoned comrade and attack the enemy at the same time.

"Additionally, as the sole medic-nin in our unit, I still lack the knowledge to appropriately counter a poison of any kind. I don't yet know how to craft antidotes, or at least buy time until one can be crafted. And I…"

She clasped her hands together in her lap as though praying, and squeezed them tightly through the discomfort of her anxious thought.

"I am afraid I may have had to watch you die if it had been a deadly poison. That is why I must improve. Why I say I still have a long way to go. In order for me to say confidently that I can stand side by side with shinobi as strong and as skilled as you, as Amari, as Haku, I must keep training harder.

"I don't want to be a near-peer to my comrades, I don't want to be nearly as strong. I want to stand and walk side by side with my peers, shoulder to shoulder. I want to be someone who can defend and attack at the same time, like you can. I want to be someone…my friends can always rely on. No matter what."

"Mm," Natsumi hummed in understanding. "I think you're there already, especially for someone who hasn't had a full year of service under their belt." She shrugged. "But there's nothing wrong with wanting to improve. You know where your weaknesses are; an objective view like that will help you get stronger, and that will save lives in the future. And with the war… I get why you're pushing yourself so hard. I get wanting to be strong enough for the people you care about."

You're one of those people, she thought, averting her eyes shyly, wishing she had the strength to say something so simple and pure.

Wishing—willing—her chakra to say it for her, for it to connect to Natsumi as they had on that bizarre plane beyond time where their essences resonated with one another. Where she felt those enduring feelings of determination, passion, trust, and so many unspoken warm, thrumming emotions entangle, mirroring their intertwined, bloody fingers when the battle ended.

She did not, however, leave her body again. Time did not grind to a halt and they did not become beings of ethereal energy, no longer bound by heavy, aching physical forms. Nothing so intimate or bizarre occurred.

Instead, a sudden warmness, faint and vague, brushed against her senses. It took her an extra moment to realize it was Natsumi's chakra, to sense its gratitude, and as her heart skipped, the mild sensation faded. So quick, had she not noticed it she may have mistaken it for heat from the campfire blown their way.

Hinata squirmed a little, awkward and warm. Head turned away, she smiled faintly and savored the gooseflesh tickling her skin.

After a moment, recomposed, she looked at Natsumi with all her sincerity and said,

"Next time we meet, I promise I'll be strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with you."

"Heh." Natsumi exhaled a soft laugh. "You little gremlin…" she added beneath her breath, warmly. "All right, well, don't expect me to wait up. I have to get stronger too, you know. Can't let a prudish, Leaf gremlin outshine me. I have a reputation to uphold as Lady Mei's student and assistant. So you better work hard if you plan on standing shoulder to shoulder with me."

"I will," Hinata nodded once, smiling.

She would work hard to learn all she could about poisons and antidotes from Shizune. She would improve her physical ability by training with Kimiko, Neji, and her father, that way she could confidently stand shoulder to shoulder with her comrades.

That way, she thought, massaging her thumb along her right palm, I can defeat him next time.

---

The Leaf and Mist shinobi woke early the next morning. After sharing a final meal together they hit the road and journeyed ahead as long as time allowed. However, like the mission to Katabami Gold Mine to handle the Kurosuki Family, the inevitable time for their paths to diverge arrived.

At a crossing in the road, where one path split off east to Midoriya Port, they stopped to offer warm farewells, sharing their hopes that this meeting, this mission, would be yet another step closer to their Village's coming together.

Amari, for her part, didn't give in to impulse until the very end. When it was clear they were on the verge of leaving, she stepped forward and embraced Haku, who chuckled warmly and embraced her in return.

"Have a safe trip," she said.

"We will. Try not to be too troublesome," he said.

"It's a hereditary trait, so I can't promise the impossible." Stepping back, blushing, Amari smiled up at her kindred spirit. "But I'll do my best."

Haku smiled and nodded. "Take care, Amari."

"You too."

After another farewell, and a bit of teasing from Natsumi, their units finally went their separate ways.

The mission to the Land of the Moon was a complete success, marking the first official mission involving Leaf and Mist shinobi working together since the time of the First Hokage and Mizukage.

It would not be the last.

---

"Ah… Ha…Ughhh… This…is…a lot harder…than it looks."

Breathing heavily, Yakumo watched Fū stagger step by step on her hands around the Academy training yard. Sweat poured down her neck, dripping off her jaw and nose onto the dirt. It wasn't even a sunny or warm day. Grey clouds blanketed the sky like a thick fog, the air was crisp and made her lungs ache with every deep or sharp inhale.

Yet Fū was drenched in sweat as she walked on her hands. Nearly two whole laps around the Academy yard had led to the petite, tan-skinned kunoichi raining a waterfall of perspiration over the training yard, leaving behind sweaty handprints in the dirt.

Meanwhile a measly handful of normal laps left Yakumo breathing heavily, sweating so profusely she could fill the bottom quarter of a bucket if she wrung her grossly saturated clothes, and desperate for a moment to sit and catch her breath.

I've lost so much ground…

There was a time her stamina and strength were on par to normal Academy graduates. She'd worked so hard to get there. Day after day, for weeks—months which became years. All along the way her weak and frail body tried to betray her efforts, all too often with some kind of illness.

Even so she pushed through it. She pushed herself harder than ever, inspired by the likes of Rock Lee to defeat the norm and become a Genjutsu Master like her teacher.

Others had tried to get her to slow down. They tried to get her to rest or to find another path, but she was determined to fight against her frailness. Determined to live up to their expectations, to be a shinobi her family and Sensei could be proud of. And she had finally seen the results of her effort.

Now she was near square one again. Not precisely square one—her genjutsu prowess was leagues above where she began. Even Kurenai was certain she possessed the talent and power to become a Genin based on her genjutsu ability alone, especially now that her inner monster was no longer eating away at her consciousness, trying to steal control of her body.

However, her physical ability wasn't up to par anymore. She would hold a squad back right now, or, worse, endanger their lives with her frustrating frailness. She could feel it intimately now, what Kurenai had warned her of in the hospital.

"For several years now you've lived under the strict scrutiny of your nurses and your Anbu Black Ops guard. These restrictions have chipped away at all the strides you made, when it comes to your physical ability. So, before you can be given an official rank, we'll need to build up your stamina and strength again. This will take time, so don't let the first day discourage you."

Yakumo inhaled deeply through her nose, then exhaled. She lost control of her breath immediately after, panting with a flushed face as her entire torso expanded and contracted rapidly.

This first day had all the potential of discouraging her, she could admit. She could feel her frustration bubbling—boiling—beneath the surface.

If only she had known why they had restricted her activity at the time. Then she wouldn't have bore such a terrible grudge against her Sensei and the Third Hokage—who had only sought to protect her. For better or worse.

Then, maybe, she may have defeated that monster sooner and become the shinobi she sought to be. She never would have tried to kill her precious Sensei.

Exhaling a long breath, trying to catch it so she could start training again, Yakumo let the brooding thoughts go.

Losing progress was frustrating. But it wasn't the end of the world. After so much time lost, after so much time alone, bearing that harmful grudge over secrets she hadn't known, she was training again. Kurenai was teaching her again.

What was there to be upset about? The restrictions were gone. She was on these familiar grounds, where her journey to become a shinobi began; the Kurama had spent many days running laps around this yard years ago, eventually graduating to the whole training field Kurenai once trained her on.

A whole future was ahead of her now.

Best of all, she wasn't alone in this journey. She had Fū—a complete stranger, a foreigner, turned friend. Someone who had risked her life to help defeat the monster within her mind, and had since introduced her to the current generation of rookies and Team Guy, who were from her generation.

She had her Sensei again, although Kurenai was currently conducting a training exercise with Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Akamaru of Team Eight against Sasuke Uchiha.

Yakumo also had a partner in this struggling first day of training—Karin Uzumaki.

The bespectacled, studious girl, born to the prestigious Uzumaki Clan but suffering as a slave to Grass shinobi, was lying on her back beside the Kurama, face the color of ripe cherries, breaths just as heavy and unsteady. Sweat darkened her clothes, dripped down her face. Her legs, bent at the knee and somewhat thin, trembled beneath her sweat pants. Although she wore a long sleeve, the left had rolled up just enough to see the outline of a scar.

A bite, from a human.

She's like Amaririsu was when Kurenai-sensei took her in. A little better, actually. Not nearly as thin, although her healthier weight is doubtlessly a new development from what I was told, Yakumo noted.

Her eyes lingered on the bite. Knowing there were many, many others, it left an awful pain twisting in her chest. The suffering this girl endured…

Kurenai-sensei said the Grass shinobi who held Karin captive abused her. They starved and beat her. She said they nearly drained her of all her chakra, before Shino and Naruto Uzumaki rescued her.

Now she's recovering. They're tending to her health and helping her build a foundation of strength. That's something I can help with, right? As a friend. And, in a way, as a sibling student. As her senior.

They were both weak. Frail. But they were striving to be stronger. They were under the guidance of Kurenai, supported by her and their friends, like Fū, to regain the ground they lost or gain ground for the first time.

Yes. She could offer her help, too. As her senior and as a friend.

"Ggh… Ughh. How did…Amari…walk…so- so far? Ngghhh," Fū groaned. "It's…totally…insane."

Left hand. Pause. Right. Pause. Fū inhaled and exhaled two rapid breaths. Her right leg wobbled over her head, then, with a pinched expression, she forced it back into place.

The strength and stability the Waterfall native possessed, it was unreal.

Amaririsu inspired her to try this, Yakumo thought, pursing her lips. Apparently she can walk far, too. Strength and stability are necessary, of course, and a high level of it. But endurance is also required. Willpower, too, to ignore the burning Fū is feeling now.

I wonder…what she's like. The picture Kurenai-sensei showed me, the way I've heard Fū, Karin, and their friends talk about her, Amaririsu sounds nothing like the girl I was shown. Or the one I created in jealousy.

The Amaririsu she believed to exist was weak, frail, and pathetic. She was malnourished, slouching in on herself with timidity and fear that made the young Hinata Hyūga seem confident and brave. An unworthy rival. Someone, to her monster plagued mind, whose Clan status had warped Kurenai and corrupted her with thoughts of glory and prestige.

The Amaririsu everyone else seemed to know, who caused Kurenai's eyes to shine with pride, who caused Fū to blabber excitedly and Karin to perk up and brighten at the mere mention of her name, like she emanated warm golden rays of light upon the cold world, was nothing like Yakumo's dark caricature at all.

It gave her hope. Hope that, perhaps, the portraits she once painted of their first meeting, the portraits of joy and warmth she hoped to share one day with her sister students, could come true.

I wonder when Amaririsu and Hinata will return from their mission. I wonder…if they'll like me.

"Wh- whoaaa— oof!"

Fū crashed back first onto the earth, arms and legs spread out. Her whole torso expanded and compressed with heavy breaths.

Karin trembled as she sat up into a crunch. "Are you…all right, Fū?"

"To- totally…" She jabbed a quivering thumb out at them. "A-okay…"

"Good." Karin collapsed back down. "Because…I'm too tired to…stand right now."

Yakumo looked between the two, feeling a small smile tug onto her lips. They were quite the odd ball pair, Fū the ultimate extrovert and Karin so quiet and studious. But she could tell their friendship was sincere. And she was grateful they welcomed her so freely. So openly.

Having friends, it was a new experience. She'd spent most of her time around Kurenai, training to become a shinobi. No one in her Clan bothered to speak to her after her parents died; likely as a result of the monster prowling the dark corners of her mind, and the fear her clansmen felt. She never spent much time around kids her age, either.

At least not until Fū and the others arrived at the villa. They were the first friendly faces she had met since being restricted, and for some strange reason, despite everything that had happened, they still welcomed her into their little circle.

Yakumo hoped to prove herself worthy of their friendship.

She hoped to be a good sibling student.

---

"Hey, Yakumo, we're over here!" Fū announced from the restaurant booth.

Yakumo smiled timidly at her friend from the doorway. The Waterfall kunoichi sat at the end of a booth a bit further in the warm sanctuary, waving both hands above her head with the same boisterousness she displayed at every given moment. She didn't have an off button. And now everyone was looking at her as though the monster once within her mind had poked its grotesque, horned head out of her ear.

Nervously, she hurried along the floor to the booth ignoring the bemused gazes of the other customers. Despite knowing what she'd been invited to, the sight of Ino, Sakura and Karin on one side of the table, and Fū, Tenten and Mimi and Aoko all lounging on the cushions set out upon the tatami floor around the low and long table left her jittery. Her hands were already trembling.

That they were joined by all the boys of their units, who sat directly across from their table on her right, by the window, made her head buzz. Sure, Fū had introduced her to these now familiar faces, but they'd never met all at once. Least of all for a long social gathering.

"Oh, hey, Yakumo! You're here!" Naruto Uzumaki greeted warmly from the opposite table.

He sat on the same side of his table as Fū, facing the door, at the end of the booth. He was followed by Sasuke, Chōji, and Shikamaru—the Nara of the pair seemingly more interested in observing passerby's. Opposite of them were Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, Neji, and Rock Lee.

"Sorry I'm late," she apologized with a short bow of her head.

"You're not late. You're right on time," Fū declared, giving her a thumbs up.

"Come on, take a seat," Ino patted the cushion at the end of the booth, left open. For her, apparently.

Yakumo joined the group, but not without trepidation making her heart skip and jaw tense. Mimi noticed, grinned.

"Relax, Yakumo. Ino doesn't bite. She's too vanilla for that," she added.

Yakumo's cheeks burned.

"I'm what?" Ino recoiled. Offense mingled with confusion, the innuendo failing to fully register.

Sakura's cheeks flushed, but she hid a smile behind her hand.

"Mimi," Tenten sighed in exasperation, rolling her eyes.

Karin tilted her head, confused by the strange phrase. Fū blinked repeatedly.

"Wait a minute… Are you saying Ino tastes like vanilla ice cream?" the Waterfall kunoichi asked sincerely.

Mimi's grin couldn't have been wider. Yakumo felt Neji's eye roll, Kiba's grin, Rock Lee's and Chōji's blush, and Shino's stoic but knowing silence without seeing it; she heard Sasuke's snort as he crossed his arms, shut his eyes, and lowered his head, and Naruto's palm smack his forehead at the question; she sensed Shikamaru's glance in the window, and the smirk tug at his lips.

The boys, like the girls, knew all too well what was coming before it occurred. All thanks to one very sincere and very socially inexperienced girl.

"I don't know," Mimi's devilish expression and seductive intonation left Yakumo shivering in apprehension. "Guess you'll have to lick her to find ou— mmmff!"

"I swear, you can be the absolute worst," Tenten scolded, face flushed pink as she pressed her hand over the Inuzuka's lips. She then smiled apologetically to Yakumo. "Sorry about her, Yakumo. I—"

"Lick her?" Fū wondered. "That seems a bit odd. Do you mean like an ice cream cone?"

Karin, finally realizing the innuendo, flushed redder than her hair and slammed forehead first into the table.

"You're so pure and hopeless…" she murmured.

Ino turned a shade of scarlet Yakumo had never seen on a paint wheel, rendered utterly speechless. Sakura was snickering.

"Mmhm," Mimi nodded, the crinkle of her eyes proving her grin had yet to fall. "Just like an ice cream cone," she seemed to say, though her words were indistinct.

"Well, this conversation is awkward," Shino decided at the other table.

Incredibly. And yet, despite the subject at hand, Yakumo no longer felt nervous. She felt a dumb laugh beginning to bubble up inside her, all thanks to Mimi and Fū. One was being socially aware, she would later figure out, prying the attention off of her.

The other, as Karin pointed out, was too pure and hopeless.

"Stop encouraging her," Tenten scolded Mimi. "And Fū—I don't even know where to start with you. Sakura, a little help here?"

"What do you want me to say?" Sakura laughed, baffled by the request.

"I don't know! I'd ask Ino for help, too, but I think her brain short circuited. Just—"

"Wait, Sakura, do you know if Ino tastes like vanilla ice cream?" Fū asked sincerely.

Sakura blinked, taken aback. Her fair complexion shifted pink.

"Do I…what?"

"Know if Ino tastes like vanilla ice cream. That's why Tenten was asking you for help, right? Have you licked her before?"

Yakumo was certain Sakura's head erupted at that moment, she could almost see it vomiting smoke and lava into the sky.

"Is it like a lotion or an oil or something? I once overheard someone talk about rubbing coconut oil on their skin to moisturize, so it sounds totally doable. Wait," she slapped her hands onto her cheeks, "do you rub vanilla ice cream on your skin, Ino? Ohhh!" Fū shivered visibly, then began rubbing her arms as if to warm up. "Gives me some chills just thinking about it. That has to be so cold!"

Mimi died at that moment. She collapsed and suffocated her own mad cackles behind her hand to not disturb the restaurant, but she was most definitely dead, Yakumo believed.

"I- I do not rub vanilla ice cream on my skin!" Ino sputtered, embarrassed.

"Oh. Why didn't you say so? So if you don't taste like vanilla ice cream," Fū tilted her head a little "what do you taste like, then? Sometimes you smell like your flower shop, which is a good smell. I like flowers. Do you taste like a flower shop? I wonder what a flower shop tastes like? Do certain flowers have different tastes?"

Tenten buried her face in her hands, and groaned. She was blushing fiercely, silently cursing her teammate for the awkward subject matter they were caught in thanks to her.

Across the table plumes of steam rose off of Karin's head as she silently pleaded to every god above to please make Fū stop!

Yakumo bit her lip, turned her head away, and covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook as she concealed a laugh.

"Ya- Yakumo," groaned Ino, shoving her shoulder playfully. "Don't you dare laugh at this! This is your fault, by the way! If you weren't so nervous, Mimi never would've insinuated anything! And you, Mimi!" Ino turned her anger quick to the Inuzuka. "How the heck would you know if I'm too vanilla about anything?"

Revived by banter, Mimi sat up in an instant like the dead coming back to life. She was grinning with the fierce, devilish charm the Inuzuka Clan were known for.

"Because Yamanaka's have been too vanilla since the dawn of time. You Yamanaka's are as virtuous as the Hyūga Clan and as sterile as a hospital. It's so boring. Bunch of fun killers."

Kiba snorted, grinning. Neji sniffed derisively.

"Fun killers? Why you… I know how to have fun!"

"Uh-huh. With all that experience we don't have, right? We aren't the Queen of the Harem or Naruto."

"Ughhh." Ino deflated into the table, arms stretching over it as she, too, rested forehead first against it. "How did they have their first kisses before me?"

"Wait," Fū made gestures with her pointer fingers as though trying to draw lines to a conclusion, "so do all Yamanaka's taste like vanilla ice cream, then? Or is it just Ino? Or do they taste like disinfectant? And what do first kisses have to do with this? Is that how most people find out how the Yamanaka taste? I'm getting confused."

"Great questions, Fū," Mimi nodded sagely. "You see, when a Yamanaka and another person love each other very much—"

"Okay, that's it…"

Two fists rained down upon Mimi and Fū, courtesy of a flushed and flustered Tenten. Fū ended up face down on the table, a bump rising on her head and innocent tears streaming down her face.

"What did I say? I was just trying to learn…" she moaned.

"This is not a discussion to have at a dinner table," Tenten decided. "Sorry about this, Yakumo. Mimi is well… Mimi sometimes."

"I'm not apologizing," the Inuzuka grinned, shrugging as she nursed the bump on her head.

"It's okay," she reassured, smiling and waving off the weapons mistress. "I'm just happy to be…here. With everyone."

"We're glad you're here, too, Yakumo," Fū said, giving her a thumbs up without lifting her head off the table.

"I haven't interacted with many people for years now. Least of all kids around my age." She bowed her head slightly again. "I apologize if I'm stilted or awkward at all."

"You're doing fine," Mimi assured. "We're an awkward group of freaks and weirdos anyway."

"Speak for yourself," Ino scoffed.

"Plus one virtuous, vanilla virgin."

"Hey!" Ino whined, flushing red.

"Quit it," Tenten scolded, lightly shoving her teammate's shoulder.

"She set herself up for that one," Mimi rolled her eyes, grinning. "Anyway, like I was saying, you're doing fine. This is all new for you. It was all new for Karin and Fū before you, and new to all of us when this little group of ours started mingling in the Exams. Give yourself time to acclimatize to us. To learn about us, feel us out. Lots of differing personalities here. I'm the charming one, as you've probably figured out," she added in jest.

"Yes, very charming." Her teammate rolled her eyes. "But like Mimi said, Yakumo, take your time. It took Karin a little while to open up with us, too."

"What about Fū?" Yakumo asked.

"Oh, she claimed each and every one of us the day we met," Sakura explained, smiling. "If I'd only had a fraction of her confidence as a kid, I wouldn't have had any problem making friends. Or with training, honestly."

"Hehe," Fū giggled and grinned. "I like meeting new people. Each new person is a potential new friend in the making. Just like you, Yakumo."

"Fū is a special case," Karin said, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "One-of-a-kind, really."

"Guess you could say I'm pretty lucky, hehe!"

"We're the lucky ones," Karin murmured so quietly, only Mimi, Kiba, Aoko and Akamaru heard her.

"Still a brain-dead idiot," Sasuke added with amusement.

"Guess she has a lot in common with you and Naruto, then," Shikamaru drawled without drawing his gaze from the window.

"Hey, how did I get dragged into this?" Naruto whined.

Sasuke simply snorted. "You're still mad about the incident with the Fifth Kazekage and Temari, huh?"

"Mad? Nah. Be too much of a drag to be mad about it. But I haven't forgotten anything, either."

"Hmph. Figured you wouldn't."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. How is that marriage proposal going anyway, Shikamaru?" Naruto asked innocently.

Yakumo didn't need a dōjutsu to see through it. Or to see Shikamaru's eyebrow twitch ever so slightly.

"Shikamaru received a marriage proposal? What fantastic news!" Rock Lee declared sincerely. "Who is to be your bride, Shikamaru?"

"Yeah, Shikamaru," Chōji prodded, smiling widely. "Who's going to be your bride?"

"Chōji…" he grumbled beneath his breath, as one does when a best friend betrays you.

"Wait a minute," Kiba grinned. "Sasuke, Naruto, so Amari actually went through with asking the Fifth Kazekage about arranging Shikamaru's marriage?"

"How do you even know about…" Shikamaru's eyes narrowed in the window's reflection. "Mimi."

"Heh," Mimi exhaled a sharp laugh, matched by a sharper grin. "What, you thought I'd hear something like that and not tell my family about its hilarity? C'mon, Slacker, you know me better than that."

"You've gotta be kidding," Shikamaru groaned, pinching his forehead. "So that's how my dad found out about that incident. 'Risu or Sasuke told you, and you told your family, which means your Aunt must've said something in passing just to see how my old man would react. And now I'm sure Ino's and Chōji's dad's know, too. Man, what a drag. 'Risu, you troublesome girl."

"Shikamaru, don't tell me you already forgot," Sasuke began, smirking. "With Amari around, we're all screwed. You know that."

"Dammit. I'll get you back for this, Sasuke."

"I'll be waiting."

Yakumo watched everyone's interactions with intrigue. Even as the conversations turned to idle chatter she picked up on the variety of personalities and interpersonal relationships, the latter built through their time as teammates, as Academy students, and more recently in conflicts the Leaf Village had faced while she was kept in social isolation.

Mimi and Tenten, for instance, struck her as an old married couple. There was a shared affection between the pair, often tangible in their banter. Even when Tenten was rolling her eyes or scolding Mimi in exasperation, it was obvious they were as thick as thieves.

Sakura and Ino often slipped into name-calling, reminding Yakumo of close-knit rivals. "Pig" and "Forehead" were their favored nicknames for one another, but there was a friendship, affection, beneath what would otherwise be harsh insults. History, too, Yakumo sensed as she watched, listened, and partook in discussions. A longer history woven far beyond just sharing the same class in the Academy.

And although Mimi and Tenten were technically the seniors of the four, in such a casual setting the interpersonal relations were that of equals. Or, perhaps, that of normal kids, forgetting rank and status to simply existing as human beings. As friends.

Karin and Fū weren't excluded in the least bit, either. They were, to Yakumo's eyes, fully integrated into the group already. Karin was reserved and studious, but she had spoken more at the table than she had while training together. Likely because they were both out of breath while they exercised.

Fū often inserted herself into conversations, excited about the subject matter or full of curious questions. No one ever seemed bothered by it.

Likewise, despite being new to the group, the girls at the table engaged with Yakumo as though they'd known each other since the Academy. There were times even when Naruto, Kiba, or Rock Lee would ask her a question, expanding the discussion across both tables.

The boy's interpersonal relations were more difficult to discover with her attention drawn to the conversations at her table most of the time, but no less strong. She could see and hear that much in the moments her attention was drawn to them.

They all share such a wealth of history together, Yakumo noted when dinner arrived. Conversations slowly faded as everyone began to eat their meals.

Somehow, though, they make me feel like I've been apart of it for far longer than I have.

Karin perked up suddenly. She turned her head to look towards the window.

I've…never had people like this in my life before. No one except Kurenai-sensei, at least.

If I had lost control of the monster…

The bell at the door chimed as it opened. Yakumo pursed her lips, staring at the rice on her plate.

If I had gone through with destroying the Leaf…

"Well, well, what do we have here." The teasing voice came from behind her, quietly marked by two pairs of approaching steps. "Why is it the moment Hinata and I are away that everyone decides to come together for a lovely group dinner?"

Yakumo stilled, eyes widening.

Her sister students, they were here.

"Yo," Mimi raised a hand in greeting. Then, with a grin, pointed to the boy's table. "The conspirator is among them. We're all saints here."

"Mmhm," Amaririsu hummed knowingly.

"Hey you two," Tenten greeted them with a smile. "We were wondering when you'd get back."

"Maybe you shouldn't be gone so long, we wouldn't have to start without you two," said Ino.

Yakumo swallowed, then turned to see the approaching kunoichis. Hinata was nervously twiddling her fingers while trailing a step behind Amaririsu, whose smile matched her initial tone.

The Hyūga attired herself in a cream-colored hooded jacket with fur on its cuffs and hood and navy pants. Amaririsu wore a loose fuchsia top that hung off her shoulder over a black long-sleeve, with a purple bandana worn over her left eye and black sweat pants. A pendent with the Nara and Uchiha crest's fused together dangled from her neck, two silver hoop earrings adorned her earlobes, one of the pairs bearing amethyst gems.

Although Hinata twiddled her fingers, they both walked, then stood, with an air of strength and confidence contrary to Yakumo's memories. And the image she created of Amaririsu in particular was nothing at all like the girl herself.

"I'm glad you made it back safely," Karin said.

"We're happy to be home, and that you're all safe, too," Hinata said.

"Yeah. It would've been a real drag to come home to another incident."

"Well, now that you're both home, who knows what will happen," Sakura teased.

"Oh, your words wound us, Sakura," Amaririsu declared dramatically.

Fū finished chewing her food, then grinned as she scooted out of the booth.

"In fact, I think it's clear we've been cast out, Hinata," Amaririsu continued, crossing her arms and nodding to herself as though it were obvious. "We've become pariahs even among those we considered most precious. I dare say the stench of mutiny is thick her— whoa! Fū!" the Uchiha giggled as Fū suddenly hoisted her up in a bear hug.

"Amari, Hinata, you're back! We've missed you!"

Fū set her down. Then turned to Hinata and hoisted her up without second thought, to the sound of a startled, "Eep!"

"Hehe," Fū giggled as she set the flush Hyūga down. "You totally have to tell us how your mission went. But there's someone really important I have to introduce you to first." She took a step back, then half-turned to look at Yakumo, beaming. "Amari, Hinata, this is Yakumo. She's a student of Miss Kurenai just like you two are. Yakumo, this is Amari and Hinata. They're my friends, too, so you guys are gonna totally be best friends."

Yakumo opened her mouth, but not a sound came out. What was the best way to introduce herself? She'd thought such horrible things about Amaririsu, she had tried to erase Kurenai and planned to…

"Hey there," Amaririsu greeted, smiling warmly.

"Hello," Hinata followed. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Yakumo."

"Uh, um, likewise," she stumbled awkwardly, bowing her head a little. "Kurenai-sensei—everyone here, really—has spoken very highly of you both."

"I'm sure someone has called me troublesome," Amaririsu said, turning her head to look at the boy's table.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Just being honest."

"I appreciate it, Lazy Bones." Amaririsu turned to look at her again. Then shrugged. "Being troublesome is sort of hereditary."

"But it's not a kekkei genkai, just so you know," Fū explained sincerely. "I had that confused at first."

Hinata brought her hand to her mouth as she giggled. Amaririsu's shoulders shook with a short laugh.

"That's right. It isn't a kekkei genkai," the Uchiha agreed. "Anyway, the Crows told us you've been through quite the ordeal. Although Hinata and I wished we could've been there to help, I'm glad you had Fū, Mimi, Aoko, Shino, and Kiba and Akamaru there to reach out to you. And Mom, of course. You can always count on them to have your backs, no matter what."

"Us, too," Hinata said. "You can count on us, too, Yakumo. We're sibling students, after all."

"I…" Yakumo lowered her gaze to her plate, hands trembling in her lap. "I don't know what to say. I… I thought such horrible things. I would've…"

A hand suddenly rested on top of her head, rubbing it gently.

"Don't even worry yourself about that," Amaririsu said.

"It wasn't your fault," Hinata agreed. "The Crows… They told us everything that happened. We know why you felt the way you did. We know it wasn't you who felt that way. Not truly."

"But that monster, it was…"

"We all have monsters within us," Amaririsu assured. "We all have darkness we harbor. I'm not free of it either. However, isolation allows it to fester and spread. It poisons us until the monster and its desires feel right, that the pain it seeks to inflict feels justified, and it feels good when its in control. Really good.

"But that's why having friends, family, and comrades you can depend on, who will reach out to you when that monster tries to seize control, is important. Whenever the lights in our hearts begins to fade, they're always there to help reignite our flames. They support us when we need it, pick us up when we fall, and fight by our side through any battle they can.

"The people here with you right now, me and Hinata included—you can always depend on us to be there for you. Always."

"That's what friends and sibling students are for, Yakumo," Hinata said. "So, as long as you don't mind, you can count on us to support you—all of us. And we'll count on you, too. Once you're ready, that is."

"So don't worry so much," Amaririsu rubbed her head, then let her hand fall back to her side. "Don't curse yourself over this. There's nothing you need to apologize for. All right? Don't make me ask Hinata to use her puppy dog eyes on you. They're super effective. No one can withstand them."

Yakumo exhaled an abrupt laugh, so abrupt she surprised herself. The tension she'd felt loosened when she looked at her sibling students.

"I'll do my best."

"I knew you'd be best friends," Fū said, moving over to sit in her seat again. She scooted down slightly then pat the empty space. "One of you can sit here with me."

"Go ahead, Hinata," Amaririsu stepped aside and gestured for her to sit. "I'm going to visit with the boys before I sit down. Figure out the root of this mutiny."

Hinata giggled. "Okay."

The Hyūga took the seat beside Fū. Amaririsu stepped over to the opposite booth, standing beside Naruto, who greeted her with a cheerful grin.

Much like with the table of girls, each of the boys offered some form of greeting, such as quiet nods and friendly greetings from the likes of Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Kiba and Akamaru, warm and exuberant hellos from Chōji and Lee, and formal but kind welcomes from Neji and Shino.

Yakumo watched her for a moment. Watched how she smiled at her friends, how she teased them without any malice or the haughty attitude one might expect from the heir of such a prestigious Clan.

She observed her relaxed posture, and marveled at how despite the casual setting, despite the tranquility clear in her interactions, expressions, and posture, there was an essence of strength and confidence which permeated off of her.

It was so unlike that girl she'd seen a photo of. The two girls were like contrast colors, standing on opposite sides of a color wheel, enhancing one another's differences so much they seemed to be two entirely different people.

Hinata, too, had grown so much since she'd last seen the girl. She, too, carried herself with strength and confidence so diametrically opposed to the meek former heiress she had once known of.

The foundation Kurenai had helped her sister students to build, Yakumo could see it clearly.

Amaririsu in particular was… She was so unlike the awful caricature her mind had created. The Uchiha had accepted her so quickly. So easily. She, like the others, made Yakumo feel as though she had always been apart of their group. Like she wasn't just inserting herself into someone else's portrait of a joyful group of friends.

There was an earnest desire to support her from Amaririsu. An earnest push for her to understand that she didn't need to feel isolated or alone, that the people around her now, these fresh and foreign faces she was learning, were people she could depend on.

They were here for her, no matter what.

"Bu- but why?" the monster's strange, inhuman voice wheezed in the back of her mind. "I did my best to serve you. I only wanted what was best for you."

Yakumo balled up her hands tightly beneath the table.

Had it actually tried to serve her? Had it wanted what was best for her?

"Liar." Fū's anger was so tangible, even in her memories. It was an anger she hadn't seen or sensed since. "Friends don't try to manipulate and use their friends, they don't drag them into the darkness and make them want to die! No way, you're not a friend, you're not even a partner. Yakumo doesn't need someone like you. She has Miss Kurenai and me, and I'm going to introduce her to other friends she can count on. So get lost already."

No. Yakumo shook her head imperceptibly. No, that monster hadn't acted in her best interests at all. It was using her, manipulating her. It had murdered her parents and nearly led her to kill her precious sensei, twisting her hopes and dreams by poisoning her mind against a sibling student, who did not resemble the awful, meek, waste of space she once loathed.

Fū was right, friends didn't behave like that. But these people—people like Fū, like her sibling students—they were what friends were supposed to be like. And Amaririsu's and Hinata's acceptance of her, their desire to support her…it was everything Yakumo could hope to have in a sibling student.

It should've been me supporting them as their senior, and yet, despite knowing everything that happened, Hinata and Amaririsu were ready to support me.

Yakumo took in Amaririsu's relaxed state as she teased her cousin about being the lead conspirator, then Hinata, who was beginning to explain the details of their mission to her curious comrades, confident and content with herself.

The Kurama ducked her chin, smiling faintly. It wasn't an exact rendition of the hopeful portrait she once painted, it wasn't a spring picnic with just her sister students and sensei; there were more faces here, new sibling students in Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, and Karin. She was surrounded by people she could call friend.

It wasn't an exact rendition, no. It was better than she could have ever imagined.

---

"Hinata, I demand an answer out of you," Ino said suddenly.

Hinata blinked, caught off guard. She had paused for but a moment while explaining the premise of their mission, how they and the Mist unit, comprised of Haku and Natsumi, worked together against the first assassination attempt on the road. And now…

She nervously pinched at the sleeve of her jacket. Swallowed roughly.

"Um, a- about what, Ino?" she stammered for the first time since sitting down.

An intense aura surrounded the Yamanaka, overbearing and oppressive. Her bright eyes were dark, matching her aura as though one of her ancestors had committed a reprehensible crime against the Yamanaka Clan, and now that grudge fell onto Ino's shoulders to bear against the former heiress.

Had she said something wrong? Had she ruined the mood? But what could she have said? She only touched briefly on their mission; the King and Hikaru, and their Mist comrades were the primary subjects of their discussion, truly, as the others were keen to learn about all four of them. She hadn't mentioned a single detail about Shabadaba's and the other Ministers dark deeds. The Hyūga wasn't certain she would. At least not here, when everyone was relaxing.

It wouldn't be appropriate. It would bring darkness into an environment meant to be lighthearted and serene. A place far from war, combat, and the cruelty of their world.

"You spent a lot of time around this Haku boy, right?"

"Um, well, yes?" Hinata replied awkwardly. "We were apart of the same unit," she tried to explain. "And part of our mission was to build bonds with each other, so we often rotated positions while guarding then Prince Michiru on the road. Also we spent time at camps together and on the boat, so…" Hinata trailed off, uncertain of herself.

"So you know precisely what Haku looks like."

"Oh brother," Sakura sighed, resting her palm against her forehead. "Are you seriously quizzing Hinata about this, Ino?"

"Oh, is this a quiz? What kind of quiz? Can I help Hinata? I'm not very good at tests, but if we work together—"

"Stay out of this, Fū. This is between me and Hinata now."

"Okayyyy." Even Fū didn't know what to make of Ino's change of mood.

"Um… What do you…want to know, Ino?" Hinata asked timidly.

What did I say?

"Naruto, that knucklehead, that idiot, that jackass, said Haku was prettier than me and Sakura."

Mimi snorted. Hinata blinked repeatedly.

Naruto said…what?

"He said this Haku boy could pass as a girl without make-up or a Transformation Jutsu," Ino continued, either unaware or ignoring the Hyūga's profound confusion. "So I demand the truth out of you: Is any of what that idiot said true? Is Haku prettier than us?"

"Is he…prettier than you and Sakura?" Hinata repeated.

The words were so strange on her tongue. It was such an odd question, so odd she felt Tenten and Yakumo strangled by the same bewilderment she was enduring. Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose. Frustration, perhaps. But the hint of a smile played at her lips. So perhaps amusement as well?

What did any of this mean? How was she supposed to answer such a bizarre question?

Karin glanced down the table at Amari and Naruto, the latter burying his red face against the table as he groaned about being "concussed" at the time. Amaririsu stifled a giggle. Both reactions were enough to bring a small smile to the Uzumaki's lips.

"No, no," Ino suddenly jabbed her finger at Mimi and then Fū, both opening their mouths to add their opinions, "you two stay out of this! I want an answer from Hinata!"

"But—"

"No buts, Fū!" Then her finger fell upon Hinata again, who unconsciously sat up straighter as though her father entered the restaurant. She fought to keep her hands in her lap instead of raised in timid surrender. "Well, Hinata, what's the verdict? I want an honest answer from you."

"It's just—"

"It's just what?"

"I mean, um, uh," Hinata swallowed roughly. "I- I never considered if Haku wa- was prettier. It never even occurred to me. I never thought about it."

"Think about it now. You know what he looks like and you can see me and Sakura here and now. So, who's prettier?"

"Um, well, it…"

Her eyes flicked about, at first desperate for support from one of the others. She found none. They were too frazzled or too amused to help. Still desperate, Hinata scrambled for words that might diffuse this awkward and peculiar situation.

"It seems…unfair to judge," she decided on.

Comparing physical beauty between anyone seemed unfair. It was subjective, wasn't it?

Additionally, comparing a boy to a girl, or the other way around, didn't necessarily work. It was like…comparing the beauty of a flower to a beautiful novel. Both could be objectively beautiful, but they weren't a one-to-one comparison. They possessed different features of allure, different attractive qualities.

"How is it unfair?" Ino demanded. "Is it because we're that much prettier, or are you taking Naruto's side?"

"I- I'm not taking a- a side," Hinata quickly refuted, shaking her head and raising her hands in surrender. "And Naruto isn't…quite wrong."

Ino's eyebrow twitched. Hinata winced.

Those were certainly the wrong words.

"Isn't quite wrong, huh?"

"No- not in the way you're interpreting, Ino," Hinata tried to reassure. "Haku, um, Haku could very likely disguise himself as a girl without make-up or a Transformation Jutsu because…"

He hadn't fully matured yet? He had an androgynous appearance? Because he was actually very pretty for a boy, now that she considered it?

Hinata could feel her face burning hotter and hotter by the second. In another silent, desperate plea for support, she looked to Amari with all of her helpless, awkwardness on display. Again she was left hanging in the wind by her otherwise stalwart comrade.

Amari couldn't help. Her whole body was trembling, on the verge of doubling over and bursting into a brilliant and violent explosion of giggles she was fighting to restrain.

"Because?" Ino probed.

"Because he's totally the prettiest boy I've ever seen," Fū butted in, unable to contain herself. "Don't worry, Hinata, I've got your back on this pop quiz. Trust me, Ino," she said, crossing her arms and nodding, "Haku is totally as pretty, if not more, than Hinata and Naruto have said. Like, I totally would've thought he was a girl if Amari didn't tell me he was a boy."

Ino recoiled as if struck. Mimi snorted, then cupped her hand over her mouth. Tenten looked at Fū, then Ino; she could sense the Yamanaka was about to blow a gasket. Karin, Yakumo, and Sakura all looked at Ino, curious to see the impending explosion.

"I'm glad I wasn't the only one," Naruto groaned from the other table.

"She's a brain-dead idiot like you, though, so it isn't saying much," Sasuke replied.

"Oh, go to hell, Sasuke," he moaned.

"Hmph."

"Ho- How would you even know that!" Ino directed her bewilderment at Fū.

"Oh, Amari used the Transformation Jutsu to show me and Karin. He's super pretty. Like, wow. I didn't know boys could be that pretty."

Neither did I, Hinata thought.

"Wait," Ino, panicked, spun to look at Karin, "you know how he looks, too? Karin, is Fū being serious?"

Karin's lips twitched upward, then she quickly hid them behind her hand as she pretended to clear her throat. She adjusted her glasses.

"Completely serious," she answered.

"Hinata, tell me they aren't being serious," Ino pleaded. "Tell me it's all a lie!"

Hinata couldn't find the appropriate words. She wasn't certain how to reassure Ino while explaining Haku's atypical prettiness. So she smiled faintly.

It was enough.

Ino gripped her head and slouched forward, resting her elbows on the table.

"It can't be possible. How could a boy be that pretty!"

"I feel like I'm missing a lot of context," Yakumo said, resting her hand on Ino's back in support.

"You and me both, Yakumo," Tenten agreed.

"You're freaking out over nothing, Ino," Sakura sighed.

"Yeah, Ino," Mimi grinned. "Stop freaking out about nothing. None of us have gone through the full wonders of puberty yet. So don't worry, some day you'll be just as pretty as a boy."

"I hate you so much."

Mimi blew the kunoichi a kiss. "Love you, too, Beauty Queen."

"Ughhh."

Uncertain of what to say, Hinata glanced to Amari. She was looking away, whole body shaking as sounds resembling quiet whimpers escaped her; death by giggles was clearly a brutal way to die. Naruto was still burying his face in embarrassment.

Hinata smiled to herself, cheeks flush, and then looked back at the table.

It's not that you and Sakura aren't pretty, Ino, Hinata thought, or that I think Haku is prettier than either of you. It's just…

Crimson hair and a cheeky grin flashed in her mind.

There are others I like more.

---

Their plan to gather everyone together to strengthen bonds, acclimatize Yakumo, and boost morale was a complete success.

From his seat at the window, propping his chin up on his hand, Shikamaru monitored his comrades as best he could in the reflection of the window. However, the clear sign of success was easiest to hear in Ino's defeat at Hinata's, Fū's, and Karin's hands, and that of the boys at his table giving Naruto hell over his concussed admission about that boy Haku.

All in all, his and Mimi's plan had worked out even better than they'd hoped. 'Risu and Hinata returning helped it surpass his expectations.

What's more, the information he gleaned from the discussion at the girl's table provided him an invaluable opportunity at revenge.

He wasn't about to waste it.

"So, 'Risu," he spoke up, turning his head to look at his cousin. "Your team protected the Prince and his son on the way to their Kingdom with that Haku guy and the Fifth Mizukage's assistant, right?"

"Yep," she nodded. "Although its King Michiru now. And things got troublesome once we arrived on the island."

"Figures."

"So, the previous King fell then?" Neji asked.

"Mm," 'Risu hummed, flattening her lips together. "He was too far gone by the time we arrived on the island. The wounds of petrification did too much damage to his old body."

"A petrification wound?" Shino repeated. "That's unfortunate, but it wasn't within your control. Time is the ultimate enemy against a wound such as that."

"Yeah. I'm sure Hinata did everything she could to save him," Kiba said. "Still, I bet that was a blow. For you guys, and for the King's family."

"Not all was lost, however," Neji said. "You managed to protect the King's son and his grandson, and, if I were to guess, returned the Kingdom to its rightful heirs."

"We did," his cousin nodded. "And we gained a new ally in King Michiru. Another bond like the one my team made with Queen Koyuki."

"That is fantastic news," Lee said, more tame in his declaration due to the grimness beneath the topic. "But I expect nothing less from my rival, or my comrades—Leaf and Mist alike."

"They say the Land of the Moon is famous for its chocolates," Chōji said. "Did you happen to taste any, Amaririsu?"

"We all did, as a matter of fact. The King gifted them to us. I even saved some for you guys."

"Oh sweet!" Chōji beamed. "You're the best, Amaririsu!"

Shikamaru smirked. That was his Chōji, always excited about food.

"That you saved some for us proves they live up to their name. Why? Because: You wouldn't wish us to taste something inadequate to your distinguished palate."

"Distinguished is right when it comes to Amaririsu's taste for sweets," Chōji agreed.

"I appreciate you saving some for all of us. Must've been hard," Kiba grinned. "We all know your sweet tooth is insatiable."

"I had to Seal them away, frankly. Out of sight, out of mind."

"Huh, no kidding," Kiba said.

"They must be quite the delicacy," Neji considered.

"Yep. Whoever made them is touched by the Gods of Sweets, thus I declare as the Soul of Sweets."

Shikamaru snorted. That was his 'Risu, all right.

"Did it peak beyond the sacred plane?" Sasuke asked, smirking up at 'Risu.

Ah, yes. The sacred plane adequately named by Shisui Uchiha: the Haya's First Kiss plane.

'Risu rolled her eye. "Nice try, but no. That plane, which will remain unnamed, is untouched."

"Hmph," Sasuke's body shook with a short chuckle. "I expected as much. It's too bad we couldn't join you on your mission; would've been interesting to see how far Haku has come since our first battle."

"I had to give it my all just to keep pace," his cousin admitted. "I know he has two years on us, but still… We only survived last time because of his merciful nature. Had we met him now, though," she shook her head, "I'm not sure we could've lasted nearly as long as we did."

"Guess I should've expected that," Sasuke said, nodding to himself. "We're not the only ones training to get stronger. Our allies in the Sand and the Mist, they're working just as hard as we are."

"As are our enemies, I suspect," Neji added thoughtfully.

"Yeah…"

"…The Land of the Moon is an island Nation, right?" Naruto suddenly spoke up for the first time, still face down on the table.

"It is." 'Risu kneeled beside him, resting a hand on his back. "Are you going to be okay? You haven't moved an inch."

"I'm fine," he moaned. "Just dying of embarrassment."

"Haku has a very androgynous appearance, it's nothing to be embarrassed by."

Naruto lifted his head. "Androgy-what-now?"

'Risu rolled her eye, smiling fondly. "It basically means he looks a little bit boyish and a little bit girlish at the same time, which means mistaking him for a girl, especially when he has his hair down like when you first met him, isn't a big deal."

"Huh. Is that why you like him? Is it like the best of both worlds or something?"

'Risu sputtered, face flushing. Sasuke let out an unexpected laugh—unexpected by him as much as Shikamaru himself. But damn was it contagious. Smiles, grins, and laughter spread across their table, and beyond when the cackles of Mimi and chortling of Aoko joined Kiba, Akamaru, and Chōji in laughter.

Shino, for his part, adjusted his glasses and hummed. "By her reaction, Naruto may be onto something."

"Bes- best of—" 'Risu shook her head, "th- that has nothing to do with it, Naruto!"

"I stand corrected."

"Oh. Well, since it was an island Nation, did you happen to see Haku shirtless?"

Steam may as well have expelled from 'Risu's ears. He could almost hear the sharp cry of a train whistle. She looked ready to combust.

Little did his cousin know she was falling deeper and deeper into Shikamaru's trap. Naruto didn't realize his role in pushing her exactly where the Nara needed, but he'd learn soon enough.

"I- well-"

Naruto's eyes went wide. Then he jabbed his finger at her.

"Holy cow, you did! You totally watched him while he was shirtless!"

"Don't say it like that!" She swatted his hand, face afire. "Don't insinuate I'm some sort deviant like Master Jiraiya. Hikaru wanted to go to the beach! We all ended up swimming in the sea—me, Hinata, Natsumi, Haku, and Hikaru. It was a totally normal situation!"

"But you totally enjoyed it," Naruto sang, wind in his sails.

"Little knucklehead, I'll—"

"Hey Hinata," Naruto leaned forward to see the Hyūga heiress, "was Amari ogling Haku the whole time at the beach?"

"O- ogling?" Hinata recoiled, blushing.

Whether due to the nature of the question, or perhaps a more personal reason, was difficult to say.

"Yeah, ogling. Haku was probably in a swimsuit and we know he was shirtless. You and that Natsumi lady were in swimsuits as well, so…" he shrugged as if it were obvious. "Did you ogle Haku?"

"N- no! No!" Hinata shook her head rapidly, face red. "N- no one was og- og- ogling anyone!"

"Are you sure? Amari can be pretty sly— gah!"

Naruto brought his hands to his head. 'Risu's fist seemed to be steaming from the friction of her strike.

"Narutoooo," she warned, "don't drag Hinata into this. And don't insinuate we're all secret perverts like Ebisu or massive perverts like Master Jiraiya."

"Yeah, I guess I was pushing my luck there," he grimaced.

"Anyway," Shikamaru spoke up, seeing his moment. "Seems like you built a pretty strong bond with the Mist shinobi, 'Risu."

"We all did," she replied, still clenching her fist as though deciding whether or not to knock Naruto upside the head again. "Hinata, Natsumi, Haku, me, and Kakashi, we all built strong bonds. Just like Team Guy did with Chōjūrō and Haruhi."

"Mm. So, did you and Haku attempt to reform your Clans?"

"Did we attempt to…"

'Risu's eye went wide. She slapped her hands over her mouth, and Shikamaru swore he saw a geyser of steam shoot out of her skull. Her eye rolled back.

And then she collapsed to the floor. Dead, perhaps. Or fairly close to it.

Mimi promptly died with her. From laughter.

Naruto, Hinata, Fū, and Yakumo all flew from their seats to surround his cousin.

"Amaririsu!" Hinata cupped her hands on 'Risu's face, trying to bring her around.

"Whoa, what the heck happened? Is Amari okay?" Fū leaned over them.

"Is she sick? Was she hurt on your mission?" Yakumo asked, holding one of 'Risu's hands.

'Risu babbled incoherently.

"Oh man," Naruto panicked. "Not good. Definitely not good! Hey, Amari, hang in there! Shikamaru didn't mean it like that!"

Oh no, he definitely meant it like that.

Sakura was keeping Karin calm, informing her of the cause and that it was totally natural and normal and had happened many times before. And would likely occur many times again. They just had to wait for her to come around.

Tenten was caught between sighing in exasperation and giggling at the poor girl's expense, the contagion of Mimi's cackles spreading to her. Kiba laughed boisterously. Neji sighed, but smirked; he hadn't expected Shikamaru of all people to go for the kill on his own cousin, yet it was well-played, he could admit.

Shino silently observed the Nara, as though gaining a new respect for the foresight and intellect of his comrade and friend. For it was clear the Nara had planted the seeds for this attack from the very beginning of the conversation.

Rock Lee was offering to fetch water despite being nearest to the window. Chōji was snickering. He jabbed Shikamaru in the side with his elbow.

"Nice one," his best friend complimented.

"Hm." He hummed, smirking in triumph.

Sasuke finally leaned forward, looking the Nara directly in the eyes with a half grin.

"You'll regret this. You know that, right?" Sasuke said.

"Yeah, I know," he admitted. "Whatever she plans is going to be a drag. But that," he lifted his chin to his steaming and babbling cousin, "makes it totally worth it."

Overall, their mission to build stronger bonds and boost morale was a complete success.

And vengeance couldn't have been sweeter.