Chapter 45: Resolve
°Telepathic communication°
'Inner thoughts'
Writing
3rd POV
Given a bokken, Yukino carried it with her on her way to the training grounds. Still, blind her world was grey and confined as she hadn't used the ability for years. Forcing her to see most days a lonely world.
The day she had returned she was surrounded by friends who tried to comfort her only to inadvertently remind her of what she had lost. When she tried to isolate herself in her room her thoughts weighed her down. Not wanting to suffocate in her own negativity she distracted her mind instead, directing her energy and attention to her students who hadn't been told the news. That naivety brought her momentary joy as she forgot her loss.
Hearing the faint sound of kunai hitting a wooden target she walked towards it hearing the sounds grow louder. Picking up her pace she tripped by accident.
"Are you ok?" Ryota asked holding onto one of her arms while Emi held the other. Both, preventing her fall in a synchronized fashion.
"I'm fine." She told her friends who didn't believe those words as they noticed for the first time the missing ring from her hand. Standing straight they let go watching as she put on a smile and directed the genin's attention to her.
・・・
"Bye!" The students yelled as they headed back home for the day.
With empty eyes, Yukino mouthed the words, unable to say them back as she waved to the children, her dark blue haori fluttering with each wave. Feeling horrible for not being able to say that word. She pressed the tip of the shinai into the ground, tipping her head down as she breathed in deeply in order to suppress her feelings bubbling inside.
"Hey, are you–" Before the red-haired man could finish the question the ground beneath his friend disappeared swallowing her in a split second.
"Yukino!" The emerald eye woman exclaimed as the ground returned to normal. For a moment she saw what appeared to be a portal open beneath her leading to a place she recognized.
?
Dropping onto the rocks of a river's edge she winced as she sat up extremely confused as to where she was. Reaching for the water she dipped her hand in, bringing it up to her mouth and guessing that it was safe. Shaking her hand she stood up following the direction of the river current as she tapped her bokken on the rocks making sure she didn't stray too far from the river. When her mind began to wander she focused on the taps she was making, busying herself by making the sound rhythmic.
After walking for a while she stopped confused as she sensed something… familiar. Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion she clutched her haori as she recognized it. 'Sasuke?' She thought walking towards the familiar chakra unsure if it was really him. But once the distance shortened she knew she couldn't be wrong. 'You're safe!' She gasped as she began to run towards the bridge ahead.
"Why can't you understand that your flirtatious behavior on missions hinders the rest of us?" A calm but strained voice asked as they were on their last straw.
"Me? I still complete my missions so there shouldn't be any problem. It's not my fault you don't have the charm to do what I do." The black-haired boy sighed.
Coming to a stop she could feel her eyes begin to water feeling stupid that she let up her hopes. The two that she came across were Naruto and Sasuke that was unmistakable. But the way they talked wasn't like them at all. Hearing the rustling of hands grasping cloth she lifted her bokken slamming it down between the two. Resulting in both to jump away from each other. "This is a public area so before this turns physical I suggest you two stop."
"You're right, I deeply apologize." The boy she mistook for Naruto said.
"I'm sorry if we frightened you. But I can make it up to you…" The Sasuke said, taking out a rose and extending it for her blind eyes to see. "With a date." He winked which she still saw with her current technique due to the proximity. Unable to keep a straight face her face changed to one of disgust. The raven-haired boy backed away in shock since few ever showed him that expression.
"Just don't do it again." She turned away from the rose telling Naruto instead. Turning back around she took her bokken, deciding to explore the place to find out where she really was.
Going back down the steps she walked away from the river taking the first street she came across. Not thinking for a moment how she didn't run into a wall or building. As if subconsciously aware of where she was.
"Wait!" Someone yelled.
Stopping she responded. "Yes?"
"You're from the Uzumaki clan aren't you?"
"I am." She said calmly 'So he knows? Naruto wouldn't even think that he's from a clan. Interesting.'
"Thought so. My mom is from there. The crest on your haori was a clear giveaway." He sighed and muttered quietly, "the red hair and attitude as well."
"Mhm." She responded hearing his last comment. Waiting to hear what else he had to say she stayed for what felt like a minute of silence before she broke it by turning around and leaving.
"Do you have a place to stay for the night?"
"I'll find one." She checked her pocket as she said it. "No." She groaned realizing that she didn't have her wallet on her and it was probably still in her storage and since she was blind at the moment she couldn't use her eyes to access it.
"Then you can stay over at my house. I'm sure my mom will be happy to see another Uzumaki."
'Wait… Kushina is alive?' Her eyes widened with surprise as she turned around with intrigue. 'I have to see this.' Walking over she lifted her bokken resting it on her shoulder and extended a free hand. "Then I'll take your offer. Though I have to mention that I can't see at the moment so you'll have to lead me." Like the gentleman, this boy was he didn't mind.
・・・
'This is so insane! How is even this possible?' She freaked out internally once she met both of the boy's parents.
"Oh, it's been so long since I've seen another Uzumaki!" Kushina smiled, holding the confused girl's hands to shake them enthusiastically.
"Mhm." She nodded and smiled not knowing how else to respond.
"What area are you from? The center or coast? No wait let me guess you're from the mountain area right?" The red-haired woman let go looking at the girl for clues. "You must be from the center. Your fashion style is definitely from there."
Confused, the girl patted herself wondering how a light blue turtleneck crop top, black hakama-style pants under a blue haori led to that conclusion. "No… I actually live elsewhere." She responded with confusion when she finally processed the older woman's earlier remarks. 'Wait am I in some alternate universe? Is Uzushiogakure okay here?' Hiding her shock she pressed her lips together which the others mistook for embarrassment. "But I want to learn more."
The woman beamed, "Really let's speak over dinner. Menma, Minato set the table." She gestured to the two men who were already on it without her saying so.
The conversation didn't last long. There was little to say since Kushina hasn't visited since youth. Which caused Yukino to sigh internally since her expectations for intel were gone. Also if this place was similar to where she came from the possibility of finding anything at the library was close to none. Derailing the conversation on purpose Yukino directed it towards Kushina's son, Menma.
Working perfectly, the conversation became casual in nature as Kushina asked how his day went. Which led to him ranting, as politely as he could, about a certain Uchiha. Sitting quietly she ate as she heard their back and forth conversation that flowed as calmly as the quietest creek. Unknowingly a smile formed on her lips as she remembered her own interactions with her father. But that smile soon faltered as her mind couldn't help but think negatively. 'How many nights did Naruto spend alone? How happy did I make him when I invited him over? How lonely did he feel when he returned to that quiet apartment?' Her own voice asked. 'Is this how he would've turned out if they lived?' She froze as the gears in her mind began to turn. 'Did he ever imagine a future where we were like this?' She asked herself, replying a moment after, 'because I did.'
Minato noticing Yukino's silence sent a worried glance to Kushina who understood. "Oh… I just realized I never got your name." She asked, causing the girl to snap out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh… my name… it's Yukino. Uzumaki Yukino."
・・・
Sleeping was no problem the moment she laid down on the living room couch she was out with the hope of having a dreamless night. But even that was too much to ask. Memories from across the years played out in her mind like an old movie showing the times she could never touch again.
Gasping awake in cold sweat she clutched her necklace and the ring it had as a way to calm herself and her rapidly beating heart. Stumbling to a stand she reached for the wooden sword that lay within reach.
"It's just me." She heard Minato say from the kitchen which just made her jump in surprise.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know." She forced a small laugh and sat back down.
The other sensing something off placed his cup of water down and walked over. "Are you ok? Did you have a bad dream?" He asked as his fatherly side emerged. "I'll get you some water." He turned back around.
"No." She sighed feeling it was best to at least say her thoughts to someone. Even if the person who she was confiding in was a stranger. "Have you ever lost someone close to you?"
Surprised by the question he now understood her odd behavior during the day. "Many times if I'm being honest." He replied, taking a seat beside her. "Do you want to talk about it?"
With a nod, she continued. "I've seen people die before some I didn't care about but… there were a few that made an impact on me. Mostly those where I couldn't say goodbye even if I wanted to. But in this case, I had many, many opportunities to say it… but I wasn't able to." She quietly shook her head as she grasped her hands in a comforting manner that a certain raven-haired shinobi would've done. All while remembering the people in her life she came to like.
"I know what you mean." He sighed awkwardly shifting to the side wondering if he should continue. When the young woman remained silent as if waiting for his story he knew he had to say it. "The day Menma was born I came close to losing my wife. She insisted on dying in order to protect us but I didn't say goodbye even in that situation. I still wanted to be with her and couldn't say it. In the end, she survived." He smiled brightly, even though she couldn't see it she could feel it in the way he spoke. "But if it hadn't worked I know I would be regretting it." He let out a heavy exhale and as he did his wife's face popped into his mind making him chuckle. "Knowing her she would be scolding me over worrying over something like that."
"You're right they would also think the same but you know less angry…" she smiled hesitantly as the Uchiha came to mind. "I miss him though. I just wish he had trusted me enough to tell me about his disease sooner." Yukino sighed leaning her head forward and unbuttoning her shirt. Hearing the blond man quickly stand up and back away she rolled her eyes and smiled finding his reaction amusing. Placing her hand on the center of her chest a seal appeared allowing her to take out the ring she had sealed near her heart. "I gave him this sometime before he died and he did the same. I should have asked him what promise he was making when he gave it to me."
Without a word he carefully took the ring from her hand feeling guilty. "I–"
"I promise to always love you." She gingerly touched the ring on her necklace. "That's what I promised him. I just wish we could've been together longer. Who knows maybe we could've settled down and lived a cozy life together like you and Kushina-san." She turned to Minato and smiled, the same smile she had shown everyone.
"I'm sorry." He apologized.
"No… you did nothing wrong. I'm just saying what I've been thinking." She turned away buttoning her shirt. Taking back the ring she remained silent tracing over the carved symbol before speaking. "Thank you for listening. Though if I'm being honest I should probably be telling my friends all this." With a sigh, she shook her head. "I'm a horrible friend…" standing up she took a step forward and crossed her arms. "I'll tell them once I find my way back so thank you for letting me stay the night."
"No. It's no problem you can stay until you find your way back."
"Thank you." She said putting the ring on her thumb. Putting on her haori her butterfly marking was covered in the process. "I need fresh air, goodnight." Standing up she picked up her bokken and left the house.
"Goodnight." She heard him say before he retreated to his room.
Spending the most of the night outside she sat on the stairs thinking about a future that was no longer possible. But as she did an old friend came to mind. One who wasn't able to have the future she had wished for. "Izumi…" She quietly whispered the name to herself. "I'm sorry." She sighed, lifting her face to the sky letting her mind drift to the past to the point in time where everything was peaceful. Remaining in that spot for hours undisturbed.
Yukino's POV
Time continued moving that day as I spent my days among this family who treated me as their own. But eventually, my sight returned and that meant my goal for returning home was now possible. Waking up before everyone I headed to the kitchen putting my plan into action.
・・・
"Something smells good! Did you finally decide to make breakfast Menma?" Kushina asked as she entered the living room.
"He didn't, but I did." I put on the happiest smile I could and set the plates down.
"Oh, Yukino you didn't have to!" She rushed over, taking the remaining plates from my hands. "You didn't hurt yourself did you?"
"I regained my sight so I'm fine." I cheerfully said and did a small pose. "I overstrained my eyes so I lost my sight for a while," I said with the same calmness of a teen that doesn't care.
"That's good!" She happily clapped. "Now I can show you Menma's childhood photos." Agreeing we talked with each other waiting for the others to join us. When they did they were surprised to hear that I could see again. After breakfast, I said the following words. "I need to know where I am, is there a library nearby by any chance?"
・・・
Given directions to where the public library was. I was slightly surprised to find out that the directions given led to the library I knew in Konoha. Thanking them I took my bokken and left. "Don't stay out too late!" Kushina yelled.
"Don't worry I won't," I replied before closing the door.
Closing the door behind me I sighed and quickly skipped down the steps onto the street. 'No matter what, I will return to them and tell them.' I thought hopefully, as I was pulled around the corner and pinned against the wall by Hinata. 'Hinata?'
"Stay away from Menma he's mine." She warned as the veins around her eyes popped out menacingly. Focused on them for only a moment, my eyes drifted down to the outfit she wore. It was something bold that I would never imagine the Hinata I knew to wear. The same couldn't be said about me if she saw me wear something similar she wouldn't think twice of it. 'I wonder what she thinks of me…'
"Hey! Who said he was yours!" Sakura said immediately after. Hiding my surprise at the complete one-eighty that their personalities took I steadied my voice.
"Sorry but I think you misunderstood." I held my hands up. "I'm his cousin. Kushina-san has been kind enough to let me stay. I'm sorry if I caused a misunderstanding." I said as softly as the Hinata I know would.
"Cousin? He never said anything about that." Sakura asked, being the most reasonable of the two at the moment. 'Why do I feel like they both like him that way.'
"Really? Because I heard him mention you two. He says you two are the most powerful kunoichi he knows." I feigned amazement. 'This should distract them. Please.'
"Hm. Well, I am." Hinata said, proud of herself.
"He also said the same about me," Sakura added, which led to their arguing amongst themselves who he thought higher of. The moment they did I quietly slipped away. Mentally preparing myself for another encounter I imagined the people I knew and imagined their complete opposite so I wouldn't be surprised if I ran into them.
Bumping into someone I dropped my bokken. "I'm sorry," I apologized quickly, bending down to pick up the wooden sword. Seeing another hand reach for the same wooden sword I stopped just in time avoiding an unnecessary headbutt with a stranger.
"No, I should apologize." An extremely familiar voice said as they picked up my bokken. Looking up I saw that friendly smile once again holding out my wooden sword. "You dropped this."
The man before me was one I've never been able to meet. But it was unmistakable. The short black curly hair and onyx eyes, but most of all that cute smile of his. "Thanks." I was able to say to the boy who resembled Shisui. 'No… it is him.' Realizing how little he had changed regarding appearance I could tell now with the mind of a young woman that he was quite handsome. "Sorry." I quickly apologized, catching myself and my thoughts. Screaming internally due to shame I went around him and headed to the library as I meant to do so from the beginning.
Trying to outrun my thoughts I saw Sasuke surrounded by girls as he winked and waved a rose around. 'Wow.' I stared in awe it was one thing to hear him but to see him act that way was just astounding. Turning my head I saw the library and ran to it not spending another second outside where I could be spotted.
・・・
My search proved to be pointless as I imagined from the beginning. After hours of looking around, I couldn't find any books about space-time techniques. 'I should have researched it back home! Why didn't I?' I sighed at my own stupidity. The one thing I used a lot and I never bothered to figure out how it worked. How much time could I have saved it I did. 'Then again… space-time techniques are rare and detailed information of how it works is limited.'
"You shouldn't frown. A beautiful face like yours shouldn't be burdened with worries." Sasuke said as he held another rose to my face. Ignoring the gift and the one who held it I held in an exasperated groan. This type of pick me up from a frivolous cheap flirt didn't help my mood and I wasn't going to entertain him either. Relaxing my features I glanced to the side saying, "Sakura?" Which caught him by surprise as a flash of terror went through his eyes as he turned around.
Ducking into the nearest store I sighed with relief that I had wandered into a bookstore. 'I doubt there's anything but I might as well look.' I thought, walking to the nearest shelf and picking up a familiar book. 'Weird this isn't how it went,' I thought after reading the blurb. 'The name of the protagonist is completely different.' I hummed placing the book back. Wandering around I stopped and took out a book that caught my interest.
Parenting Guide: For the new parents
"Hm." Opening I quickly read the table of contents I flipped to a specific page noticing that otou-san actually completed some of the points listed on it. "I wonder if he read this." I wondered out loud. Placing the book back I lingered a bit remembering a familiar book at Kushina's place. 'I'll have to read later, but first I need to look for a secluded place to use my Getsugan. If I can even use it.'
Hearing the chime signaling a new customer entering the bookstore I snapped out of my thoughts. Heading for the door some movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention making my head turn to see. There stood Shisui facing away from me reading the blurb of a book. Flinching I grabbed the handle door and opened it without thinking causing the chime to ring loudly. Cowering I slipped out of the store and briskly walked away.
A couple of days later…
Sitting by the window I looked up from the book in my hands and looked outside remembering my failure at the training grounds.
・
Flashback
Going to the training grounds before the sun even rose I calmly took a deep breath and imaged the Hokage monument back home, the one with five faces instead of four. Just as I was about to open a portal I stopped, 'If I open it now there's a chance someone on the other side may see me. Instead, I changed my destination thinking of home and the tree in the plaza. 'There's no way there's a tree like that here.'
As I was about to do it I stopped and looked behind me. The silence of the trees at early dawn was slightly unnerving whoever had been there was gone. Were they spying on me? Most likely not.
They might have left a trace of theirs behind but finding out their identity wasn't of importance at the moment. This place wasn't as empty as I thought, deciding to not linger for another moment I teleported back to the house.
Flashback end
・
With a sigh, I looked back down at the book noting how Otou-san completed certain points in the book during my upbringing. 'I guess I was raised fairly well.' I hummed fairly surprised. 'Well… aside from the trauma. My childhood was fairly well.'
"Yukino can you go to the grocery store and pick up certain things?" Kushina asked. Accepting the request I placed the book back replacing it with the list of groceries and money.
・・・
"Come back again." Bags in hand I looked up at the sky proud of myself for going in and out without getting distracted. Though looking down at the bags I noted how even though I got everything on the list this seemed to be a task for more than one person.
Briskly walking I endured the painful feeling of the bags digging into my skin. 'Just a couple of more blocks.' Stumbling, I fell forward wanting to use my hands to catch myself, but due to the fact that eggs were in one of the bags, I decided that the best course of action was to land on my knees to avoid breaking anything.
"Whoa there." As that was said the bags were removed from my arms allowing me to fall on my hands and jump back up to a stand. "That was pretty close," Shisui smiled as he held the bags towards me.
"Ah, thank you once again." I smiled in return, not because of his help but of the fact that he hadn't changed like the others. He was still… him. That made my heart squeeze with joy.
"That seems like a lot of bags need any help?" About to reject him an idea popped into my head. Tobi or whatever his name was, was an Uchiha with a space-time technique, and if I remember correctly Kakashi's Sharingan had a similar ability. 'Maybe the Uchiha has more information about those types of techniques.'
"I do, but I don't want to bother," I answered instead.
Acting as predicted he helped carry half of the bags lightening up the load on my arms. Walking ahead he suddenly spoke out of curiosity. "You're from the Uzumaki clan right?"
"Huh?" I looked back, "I am, my haori gave it away again didn't it."
"Again?" He asked with a playful smile.
"Yeah, usually I don't wear it. In fact, I have to hide it…" I sighed but perked up. "Not like I'm ashamed of it. I'm actually very proud to have been born in it. I met some very interesting people because of it."
Slightly tilting his head to the side he smiled. "I heard its members were lively. The rumors seem to be true, maybe I should visit Uzushiogakure someday." He hummed as if considering it.
"If it catches your interest, you should go. It's better to find the answers yourself than wondering what it would be like and let the curiosity gnaw at you."
"You have a point."
"Of course I do. That's how I've been living my life. It makes me sort of an expert you know." I winked. "Though I have to admit some curiosities are better left as they are." Gasping I spun around. "That's right you're in the Military Police Force aren't you?" I gestured to the symbol on his shirt. "How is it?"
"I am so you recognize it?"
"Of course," I smiled, purposefully not answering how. "It must be nice being away from the dangers of shinobi life." I sighed happily. 'Which is why you're alive.'
"Is this place it?"
Confused, I looked around seeing that he was right. "Mhm." Skipping up the steps I reached the porch first. "That was fast. Thank you so much for helping me, Shisui." I said, ringing the doorbell to be let in.
"It was. I know this seems odd but have we met before?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck as if asking that was too embarrassing.
"Yes and no. I–"
"Yukino!" I heard two voices calling out my name. Like prey, I whipped my head towards the sound. Eyes sharp as a hawk my eyes scanned the area catching the small wavering ripple by the stairs.
Placing down the groceries I called out their names, "Ryota! Emi!"
"Yuu-kun! Are you here?" I heard Ryota yell again as that ripple opened to the size of a ring.
"I'm here!" I grasped at the hole, Getsugan active, and ready to open my way back home.
"What's happening?" Shisui asked, confused as he should be with the sudden and strange event.
"Shisui, that feeling you mentioned? I feel it too. I knew you. But the you that I knew was from my world." I quickly explained as I struggled to expand the portal. "I lost him years ago it took a while, but I made peace with that fact. Seeing what he would have grown to be… it made me happy." I shook seeing my vision become blurry but through the blur, I could see the portal becoming big enough for me to use both hands. 'Why is this so hard?!'
"I feel envious, to have met someone as interesting as you. He must've been quite lucky." He walked over and attempted to hold the sides as I was, but it was pointless only those with the Getsugan can grab the portals created and expand or move it around.
"You're so much like him." I laughed through the struggle finding his words encouraging. "You don't have my eyes so helping is pointless. Give Kushina-san the groceries for me." I hissed expanding the portal big enough to fit the length of my forearm. "Also the money… it's in my haori."
"Oh," He let go, giving me the space to expand it myself. Hesitantly he carefully searched my pockets finding the money.
"I hear her!" I heard Emi yell through the portal. "Hurry pinpoint her location!" I could hear her voice echo from somewhere inside.
"Hold on!" I heard Kichi-san yell. When she did the strength of the portal weakened considerably allowing me to expand it with ease. Just as I opened it big enough for me to pass through, a rope was thrown. Knowing what to do I wrapped it around my arm and held tightly to it. "Pull!"
"Goodbye." I turned around to the Shisui of this world as I was dragged back to mine.
Holding on I didn't loosen my grip until I was back on the other side. When I was, I finally let go, the moment I did I was surrounded by my friends. "Yukino!" Ryota and Emi pounced, hugging me tightly.
"I missed you guys." I sighed feeling my tears fall. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
"No, we're just glad you're safe." Ryota sniffled, whipping his tears with his sleeve.
"We're so sorry." Kichi-san lingered in the back wanting to join the group but unable to. "It's our fault you fell in. We shouldn't have touched that relic."
"I don't know what happened but I know that you tried to bring me back." I extended my hand out. Her lip trembled and she nodded joining the tearful mess. "There's something I have to tell you." I wiped away my tears, "I should've told you all."
Yukino: Once things calmed down I would share with them the same thing I shared with Minato as well as other things.
?: That's good. But what happened that caused you to land in this alternate universe?
Yukino: Oh, it was an old relic found at the shrine storage. Nori-kun and Kichi-san activated it by accident opening a portal somewhere in Uzushio. When Ryota and Emi told them what had happened to me they knew what the relic did. They spent the next few days trying to find me.
?: That must've been terrifying. Where's the device now?
Yukino: That's a secret. I hid it somewhere safe to avoid more accidents. So don't expect me to tell you.
3rd POV
Hands on her lap Yukino faced the window of her office. Trying to not focus on the sore muscles on her back from her successful use of the Heavenly flight scroll. Just then two foxes poofed into the room. "I'm glad you two help me with this." She said turning her chair away from the window and towards the office to see the twin foxes Hina and Haru, who didn't age a day unlike her.
"Of course anything involving you would pique our interest." Both twins said with a smile. "This mission required information gathering. Are we right?"
"You are." She stood up walking around her desk. "As you know Itachi recently died."
Glancing at each other, both twins shared a worried glance not out of fear but pity for the girl they helped raise. "Do you want us to look for his belongings?" Hina asked.
"No." She sighed, "The way his lungs were that day… I believe that he's been sick for at least a year. There's a chance that he's been taking medicine. If he was, I want to know what it was and where it came from."
"Why do you want the medicine?"
"Sasuke." She answered, opening a drawer in her desk, revealing a folder with his name on it. "If whatever Itachi had ends up being a genetic thing there's a chance he or any of his descendants may end up getting it." She opened it flipping through pages of information from sightings to affiliates as well as other details. "Recently he awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and I'm worried that his well being will be affected because of it. It's a silly worry but still, just in case."
"May we see that?" Haru asked, extending a hand waiting for her to accept or deny the request. But he knew the answer already before she even handed him the folder, he just asked out of habit. Holding the folder open between him and his sister they both looked over the information, it might be irrelevant to their current task but they still took the information in knowing of their master's need to be above it all regarding information. Something which the woman before them seemed to have copied.
"You may also want this." Yukino handed a single slip of paper. "The information I have on Itachi is limited. I'm sorry, this just complicates your search more." She sighed.
"No, it's fine. It's more than what we usually get." Hina smiled while taking the paper. "There's something more you want right?" She asked, noticing the hesitation in her stance.
Hesitant she leaned against the desk and looked away internally debating whether she should open her mouth and say it. "I-I want a blood sample if possible."
"No worries we will get it." Haru declared.
"No, I rather not." She hugged herself placing a hand over the old scar. "The one who killed me years ago. Tobi, the masked man, must have the body. I don't want any of you to go near him until he's been neutralized."
"We won't." Both twins echoed.
"I mean it."
"I won't," Hina promised.
"…"
"Haru." His twin whispered.
Looking up he saw his friend's pained face and inhaled slowly. "I won't." He gave in.
"Thank you." She sighed. "I'll be waiting here. Please take care and please return… both of you." With a nod, both twins returned to Mount Inari to commence preparations.
With an exhale, she returned to her seat resting her chin on her hands. Remembering the Samurai in the land of Iron she took out a slip of paper asking if they were alright. Three years had passed since then but she worried if during that time something had happened to those who trained her.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," she called already knowing who it was as she pulled out a basket to fill with goods.
"Hey," Ryota came in. "Ah, are you busy?"
"No, why?" She looked up from the grand gift basket. "Did something happen?" Her face hardened ready for bad news.
"There was a report from one of the Wolves in the land of fire… it's about Konan and Nagato." He sighed rubbing the back of his neck.
"Did they both die?" Confused as to how such a thing could've happened.
"No. From the report, it seems that Konan was the only one to return to Amegakure. She wasn't injured." Watching for a reaction he told her the other report he received from a different member. "Konan might have also left the Akatsuki."
"How would they know that?"
"She discovered our Wolf who was also in the land of fire near the border of the land of rain. She told him to 'Tell her that she left'." Watching as her face turned to one of shock she turned away placing a hand on her chin. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to see her." She decided.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. Will you take this to the land of Iron? I want to thank them for helping me that time when I lost my memories. If possible, look for someone named Takeo or Mifune." She gave him the task so he wouldn't follow her to the land of rain in case things went south.
"Of course."
"Thank you." She then opened a small portal to the land of iron giving him enough visibility to expand it. "This too please." She held the letter she was writing.
Taking it he placed it in his pockets and hugged her. "I'll be back."
"I will too." She returned the hug feeling a slight hesitancy when he let go. "Before I leave, where's Emi?"
"She's at the library organizing the jutsu that the shrine thinks isn't necessary to store." He responded as he picked up the basket.
"I see." She nodded, active while opening a portal and taking out an umbrella. "I'll be back shortly." Her eyes glowed a pale blue as a portal to the rainy city appeared before her.
Stepping into the rainy city she looked up at the tower where she remembered Konan and Nagato resided. Removing her haori, her back was left exposed showing the butterfly marking that had been on her for three years already. Activating one of the seals on her exposed arms, white feathers began to sprout from her exposed back taking the shape of large white wings similar to a swan. Closing her umbrella she flew towards the open balcony in the tower and dove in sealing away the wings once she did.
That moment of flight required chakra as such it served a small signal flare alerting the other winged woman in the city to be alerted of her guest.
Arms crossed Yukino waited inside out of the rain for the woman she was sure had detected her. "How did you know that person was connected to me?" Yukino asked once the woman landed in the open balcony.
"He wasn't wearing a forehead protector, yet he was skilled." She answered entering the room as well. "I wanted to hear from you. Why did you betray us?"
Confused at the odd question she sighed. "Konan, we both know we didn't completely support the Akatsuki. That we were there for someone else not for ourselves."
"So even you were aware of that."
"I was aware of many things. Like Tobi being the one in control." She hissed putting on her haori and covering the scar once again. "I doubt he's going to let you leave the Akatsuki this easily. So tell me why did you leave?"
"Nagato's last wish was to leave his hopes for a peaceful world to Naruto. I want to honor that wish so I will kill Tobi before he goes after Naruto." Catching Yukino by surprise she stared at the woman in astonishment. "I'm sure you have ties that can help."
"Are you proposing we join forces?" She smiled excitedly. 'So Toby is still going after Naruto.'
"I am."
"Then I accept. Now tell me what your plan is."
Standing in that room they agreed to share each other's secrets to assure the other's willingness to the union. Starting with Yukino who showed Konan her ability to communicate non verbally. Using this Konan began to share her past and how the Akatsuki came to be up to the point where she left. With this Yukino willingly shared her own secrets regarding herself and the village the world was yet unaware of.
・・・
°That is all the information I have of the Uchiha and their abilities.° Yukino concluded.
°So nothing new. Thank you. So the next goal would be to make xxx explosive tags.°
"Huh? Wait what? You can't be serious right?" Yukino asked standing up and staring at the woman who bore a serious look. "I will see to it that it's done then." She sighed. "I will put all my effort into making them." Walking towards the balcony she stopped. °Focus meanwhile on leading Amegakure. If Zetsu returns and sees something is up, Tobi will be on alert.°
Opening a portal she crossed through to her office where Ryota stood waiting. "I'm back!" Her voice happily announced before closing it behind her.
"What happened?" Ryota asked.
"She wants to kill Tobi." She calmly explained and walked to the desk. "So we joined forces so she could kill him." With a smile, she sat down. "Aside from the plan to kill Tobi, this may be a good way to set up trade between Uzushio and Amegakure."
"Wait you're going to fight him?" He walked up to the desk putting down the paper she was looking at.
"No. She plans to deal with him on her own but in order to do that she needs explosive tags, lots of explosive tags." She handed him the paper she was looking at. "Post this notice in the cove. I'm going to need help."
Notice: Any available Wolf or Koi willing to help with something please report to the Shrine in Tsukimi –Yukino Uzumaki :)
"How many people do you think are going to show up?" Ryota looked up and couldn't help but glance at the smiley face which looked slightly menacing. 'It must be my imagination.' He sighed. "Nevermind, on another note. The samurai appreciated your gift they said if you wanted to visit to do so. But that other samurai… Mifune said to not do that."
"It's because I'm a girl." She laughed. "Can you believe it? A whole building of guys who I bathed with didn't realize I was a girl!" She wiped away the tears. "I thought they knew but they didn't."
'So that's why she never cared about bathing with me.' Ryota sighed, finally making sense of that one thing that always puzzled him. 'Wait? Just how much did she see when they bathed?' He wondered as he stared at his laughing friend who had yet to reveal all of her secrets. But the bigger question was if he really wanted the answer to that question.
A/N: College classes are tough. It's the second week and they're already leaving so much work.
