They had hiked through mountainous terrain for days, in search of who or what Konohamaru couldn't tell. When finally they settled for the night at some farm, he looked down the path they'd taken with no better notion as to their whereabouts. Boruto seemed to know the farmer and his people, and they were treated quite well though the family left them alone. The three of them had just finished eating when the farmer's wife appeared and bowed, hugging her tray close to her, looking fretful.
- People have been asking around. she announced anxiously.
- What kind of people ? Boruto asked, not the least disturbed, finishing his drink though he didn't like tea much.
- Shinobis, probably sent by the Raikage's office. They rarely come by, so we thought it unusual enough to warn you.
Boruto thanked her and she went out, taking plates and empty dishes with her. Mitsuki was at the window, looking at the clouded sky.
- Trouble ? Konohamaru asked, not sure if he'd get an answer.
- I don't think they know we're here. We're probably just chasing the same quarry.
Konohamaru raised an eyebrow. Ever since he joined their party, the two rogues had been friendly enough but they'd kept quiet about what it was they were doing. He understood they couldn't trust him overnight with their secrets, but he hated being left in the dark. Life long habits were hard to shake off. On top of that, Boruto now kept a remote attitude towards him, as if he couldn't look him in the eyes anymore. Despite all that, his newfound freedom felt wonderful and it was hard to fault them for their careful behavior.
- We'd better act quick then. Mitsuki threw in as if proposing an evening stroll.
- Hit and run, yeah. Boruto agreed. But where to ? Those morons from the Cloud might follow us.
Despite his words, he didn't seem overly worried as they gathered their gear in a practiced rush. Taking his leave, he took the farmer's shoulder and smiled easily. The man didn't recoil, which surprised Konohamaru : there was no mistaking the ominous aura Boruto trailed with him these days. Wandering had given him some sort of wild attitude that unsettled his elder.
- By chance, you wouldn't know a place where we could hide for a couple of days ?
The old man seemed to chew on something bitter for a moment, then he nodded.
- My brother lives up the valley, got himself a nice place, you could go there. Tell him we owe you. He's stupid, but he still got some honor. We're proud people, you know.
- I know. Thank you for everything.
- You don't have to thank me.
With some directions as to where to flee once their job was done, they put themselves to the night's task. Traveling with the two young rogues, Konohamaru had slowly developed a new perspective on what it was shinobis should really be doing, and it was weird to rediscover something he thought he'd understood a long time ago. Wandering in enemy territory he knew about, but somehow the fact that there was no safe haven anymore made it more real, and he rarely had a chance to relax. No place left for mistakes nor weakness once you've turned your back on the village that raised you. It appeared Boruto had an agenda, tracking down from simple thugs up to bingo book's celebrities, though the whole thing seemed completely random. Asking Mitsuki about it was no use, the young man would just smile dreamily and shrug. But their bloody wandering was effective nonetheless. Boruto was steadily gathering intel, circling around some enemy he would not speak of. More tangibly, their little party would be welcomed in farms, remote taverns, small villages and even in impoverished parts of bigger towns. Konohamaru had known for a long time that the poorer people, especially from small bordering lands, were resenting the stronger shinobi nations for roaming their lands and wreaking havoc. Rogue shinobis would settle down and exploit the villagers, pillaging and killing as they pleased. Konohamaru had often found that dreadful, but there was nothing he could do about it, was it ? Konoha had always protected the weaker lands, and the village's strong position ensured the safety of many. There wasn't much more they could do to help those people, right ?
Boruto had put a stop to it. There was no high fee to pay nor complicated plea to file for his help : a meal and a roof was enough. With Mitsuki's help, they were making quick work of the local thugs, and when perchance they stumbled on a bigger fish, the locals were even more grateful. Having suffered so long under such duress also meant they were used to keeping quiet about it, and once the threat had been disposed of, none of those villagers were eager to announce it to the local authorities that failed them. Consequently, only a few words of Boruto's whereabouts had reached the Land of Fire. And Konohamaru discovered they were welcomed in many places, sheltered and cared for by all sorts of people. Was it what shinobis were supposed to be doing ? Actually protecting the weak, and not just ensuring the continued prominence of an already overpowered nation ? Of course, not all shinobis were a one-man army like Boruto.
The plan was to leave their former colleagues from Kumogakure in the dark : hopefully they would never know what had happened. By morning they could just cross a face in the bingo book, and any hope of interrogating the man. Again Konohamaru was amazed at how easy it was for Boruto and Mitsuki to deal with criminals feared through several nations. Watching them at work, he couldn't shake the feeling there should be better uses for their skills than harassing a bunch of thugs.
Their chance turned south though. As Mitsuki was patting the corpse of the rogue they'd killed, Boruto suddenly let out an irritated sound. Immediately Konohamaru was on alert, listening.
- Old man Bee.
- Really ? Konohamaru startled.
- No mistaking the Hachibi. We better get out of here quick.
No need to repeat such an order, in a minute they were all running through the thick forest. It was never a good idea to cross blades with a jinchuriki.
- You think he's after us ? Konohamaru asked.
- He's after someone alright, but I don't think he knows it's us. The Kages have been quite jumpy lately.
- Did he notice us ?
- Don't seem like it. Mitsuki answered lightly.
- It's not old Bee I'm worried about. But as long as I keep my resonance with Hachibi quiet, we should be alright.
Resonance ? There was too much Konohamaru didn't know. Boruto had trained hard and learned a bunch of skills his former teacher had only glimpsed as they traveled together. Much like his father before him, he had that strange aptitude to charm otherwise disreputable people into teaching him.
A full day of running allowed them to ensure they'd safely got away, but by then they were exhausted and eager to make up for the all-nighter. A narrow track led them uphill, clear of a bamboo forest, to look down a small valley.
- Is that where we're going ? Konohamaru asked, astonished.
- Seems like it. Boruto grinded.
- Per-fect. Mitsuki purred.
Even up there they could well see their hiding place would be a charming inn with hot springs. Quite idyllic.
- At least no one would think of searching for us in that kind of place ! Boruto finally laughed.
No one was about as they reached the front door and called for the owner. Konohamaru noticed some family resemblance with the farmer that had sheltered them, but the man clearly thought highly of himself, contrary to his brother.
- I know who you are of course, and I'm honored to repay our family's debt… But you see, business is not what it used to be, and I'm afraid I will not be able to shelter you for free.
- That's not an issue. Boruto cut coldly.
The man's attitude changed radically once he'd been paid generously. Mitsuki was frowning but just one glance from Boruto seemed to settle his mood.
- He's greedy but I don't think he'll be stupid enough to sell us. Boruto explained once they were alone. He'll be in a hell of trouble if we were found here.
- And it sure is quiet, maybe he's not even lying when he says business is bad. Konohamaru agreed.
They'd seen no one and the place was eerily quiet. As much as he wanted to relax and let go for a change, he knew that kind of place was deadly enticing. Apparently he wasn't the only one to be wary.
- You're not going to enjoy this, are you ? Mitsuki sighed as he followed Boruto's pacing around.
- I'll keep watch for tonight. You guys have fun.
From as long as Konohamaru remembered, Mitsuki had always been like this : making the best of everything, never worrying much about the next day. There were certainties deeply rooted in him, and the rest he just improvised along the way. Reflecting on it, Konohamaru had to admit there was some kind of wisdom in it, especially in their line of work : you could be dead in the morning, so why bother ?
A knock announced the owner's wife herself bringing dinner. They were famished and barely managed to remain civil as she placed so many dishes on the low table that Konohamaru started to wonder if she'd stop at some point. When she finally took her leave, they looked at each other, dumbfounded.
- Clearly, that woman knows how to show her gratitude. Boruto said in a blank voice.
- And she knows you. Mitsuki laughed. That pitcher is full of soda.
- No way ! I'm so sick of fucking tea everywhere !
Belly full, chatting lively with his two former students, Konohamaru thought about how peculiar that evening was. If things had turned differently, they would surely have taken such a trip, with Sarada too. Being there as rogue shinobis, running from former allies after murdering someone, with all that had happened already… That sense of possible worlds colliding felt overwhelming.
- Don't fall asleep, taicho. Mitsuki smiled, getting up. Let's go.
For a moment, Konohamaru blinked, having drifted far away, so when Boruto threw him a yukata, he just laughed. They really needed a bath : he couldn't even remember the last time they'd stop by a mountain stream to wash off. He thought idly that Moegi would never have let him end up so unkempt when they worked together, and surprisingly the idea didn't hurt anymore. Maybe one day he could remember it all with no resentment. The hot water felt amazing and helped with the many little injuries they'd taken in all the fighting, leaving them utterly at peace.
- Mitsuki, you're snoring. Boruto teased.
- No I'm not.
- Well, I'm off to bed. Konohamaru sighed.
It seemed he fell asleep immediately, but he woke up, more rested than ever, as the moon was setting behind the mountains. Sitting on his futon, he thought he was alone in the room, but soon he noticed Mitsuki just outside, enjoying the night air under the porch. Knowing he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, he joined the young man in his contemplation.
- Did you get any sleep ?
- Of course. Mitsuki smiled.
- One day I'll be able to sleep more than five hours straight. Konohamaru complained.
- Comes with the job, I guess.
The moon finally disappeared and a momentary darkness gathered round until the stars started to shine brighter. Mitsuki stretched, now fully alert.
- Where's Boruto ?
- Sleeping on the roof, it's my turn keeping watch.
- Good. Are we staying here long ?
Mitsuki shrugged again, a habit that was starting to get on his elders' nerves.
- If you don't trust me, fine, but…
- Of course we trust you, taicho. Mitsuki cut him.
- What ?
- Himawari wrote of you. If there were any doubts left, that was the end of it.
- You mean the letter ?
- Apparently she had some harsh words for Boruto.
- Ah. Is that why he's avoiding me ? I'm not sure I need advocacy from a little girl.
- She's no little girl. The Hyuuga clan made her official heiress. Seems she put Hanabi-sensei to shame. As she wrote it, she's scared of how powerful she's become.
- And calling her big brother for help.
A mysterious smile spread on Mitsuki's lips and he reverted to looking away, following the mountain's spine's darker shade against the night sky.
- What's your take in all this, Mitsuki ?
- Just following Boruto.
- Despite everything, that's all there is to make you happy ? I've never understood you.
- You know I've never been welcomed in Konoha. At best I was seen as a good asset, at worst I was a hostage. The elders could only see my parent through me. Is it surprising that I was happy that my friends took my side, helped me escape ? That Boruto came back even though he had nothing to gain from it ?
- Naruto had wished for reconciliation with Orochimaru…
- It was a calculated risk, meant to bring back his knowledge in Konoha's fold. Too bad it backfired.
All this had been said without a hint of anger, with that light tone Mitsuki always used, like he couldn't care less. Konohamaru frowned.
- What about Boruto ?
- It's not about Boruto. It's about Sarada. Boruto and I, we'll bring Orochimaru home in time. All this depends on how well Sarada plays her part.
- You've got it all figured out, eh ? So what's keeping you from just barging in ?
- Kawaki.
Konohamaru froze upon hearing Boruto's voice coming from the roof just above him. Of course, the whole discussion had him on nerves and probably raising his voice, but somehow he was sure the young man wasn't sleeping that deeply and had heard everything. Leaning forward, Konohamaru got a glimpse of the dark shape slumped on the tiles.
- He's just one guy.
- No he isn't. Boruto scoffed. Either the Hokage steps down on his own, or Kawaki is going to get pissed, and no one wants that. He's a way better son than I ever was.
Sighing, Konohamaru just laid back on the floorboards, puzzled and sad. Mitsuki threw him an inquisitive look.
- It's great for you to plan on going home. I don't have that luxury. he explained.
- We're taking you home, nii-chan. Boruto said in a definitive tone. No matter what.
