Scarlet Justice - ep. 91
"One of None"
[Fleeting Dreams, Part 6: Conclusion]

The next morning arrives. I yawn and realize that I'm still very sore from the previous day's fighting. My tongue flicks out at the air to survey the area, and I can't detect any unusual chakra signatures. It seems like the others are taking care of morning patrols, which is good.

I prop myself up lazily and relax on my side for a while. Genma is making breakfast with Hana. Hina and Shino are out on patrol in the distance with the Haimaru triplets shadowing them. Takato is in the tent, snoring away as expected. As for Yamato and Ittan...they're on the edge of my range, walking together. I can only assume they're having some sort of private conversation, so it might be best to leave them to that for now.

Kurenai isn't back yet. I'll have to run a search for her at this rate.

"Hm." There's a blanket on me, I've just noticed. I suppose someone put it on me while I was asleep last night, which was nice of them. The scent tells me that it's one of Hina's blankets, because of course it would be. She's too much sometimes...

"Breakfast should be ready soon," Hana assures me.

"Mm. There's no rush, my dear."

"Even so, it's always nice to inform your team leader of what's going on," she says with a smile. "Would you like some tea?"

"Nothing for now. I want to see that Kurenai is safe first. Have you received any messages to that effect?"

"Nothing."

"Then I will take one of your companions with me for a brisk walk through the wilderness. We will locate Kurenai in due time," I say as I start to get up. Hana gently attempts to seat me again.

"Easy, now. If you're going to head out, at least let me heal your injuries first. You've been through plenty in the past day or so."

"Yes, yes. Expeditiously, Hana."

"Yes, ma'am. Genma, could you run inside the tent and grab a spare cloak for Lili?"

"Got it."

She presses her lips together and whistles at a pitch that I can barely hear, but can also feel through the air at a significant level. It seems to be a specific one, since only one of the triplets arrives this time.

"Go along with Captain here. You remember what our missing senpai smells like, so do your best."

Hana gets an obedient bark in response, and the dog takes a seat next to me while my wounds are tended to. As annoying as it might be right now, I appreciate her care and caution.

"I don't mean to hold you up too long. I know how close you two are, and how much you worry."

"No, I understand. I'm sorry if I came across as harsh, Hana."

"It's fine. I know that if anything like this happened to Kiba, I would move heaven and earth to find him. There, you should be good to go for that walk you wanted. Be safe, okay?"

"I will. Thank you, my love." I kiss her gently on the cheek before rising. Genma bows and hands me the spare cloak, which I quickly throw on. "Take care of things here until we get back. I'm off."

I leave with my companion, jogging through the forest and the thick snow that is layered over the earth. Kurenai's scent is in my memory, and I sample the air as much as I can to try and locate her. Eventually, I pick something up and start moving towards it. That has to be her.

Two quick barks sound out, confirming my suspicions. The figure ahead is casually moving as we approach, and I stop a fair distance away.

"..."

We stand at length and go through our hand signals. As we finish the correct sequences for the day, I sigh with relief. It's her for sure.

"Kurenai."

"Lili."

I run to her and wrap my arms around her waist. She hugs me back just as quickly, and we stand together in the snow quietly for a while. I don't think I've ever been this happy and relieved to feel her warmth before. I was...really worried.

"Good morning, by the way," I say into her jacket.

"Good morning."

"It's wonderful to have you home."

"Yeah. I feel the same. You came out all this way to look for me. Guess you were pretty worried, eh?"

"Not too much," I say as we separate. "You were just a little late coming back, so...I thought I would see what was happening. A leader has to look out for everyone, doesn't she?"

"I guess so. You're worse than me, you know."

"How so?"

"Calling me a tsundere and then acting like this," she says with a smile. "It's just like you."

"So should I leave you to wander through the snow alone next time?"

She laughs softly and pats my head. I feign a bit of anger at her, but...she has me figured out.

"I bet you didn't eat breakfast yet."

"It wouldn't have been right if everyone wasn't present."

"I see."

"You look a bit weary, even considering the circumstances. Did anything serious happen? What became of the bishounen?"

"Him...I took care of him after the wolf mask woman left," Kurenai says. We start to walk back to camp together. "Shino's insect copy got whacked by her, and I figured that I only had a short time to react before she got me too. So I layered two genjutsu: one visual, and one scent-based. Worked out better than I hoped, and I used it to hide and spy on Moyasu when nothing ended up happening to him. So she took off after their conversation, and then I put the fucker in the spin cycle."

"Ah, well done. There's a reason you're an elite, you know."

"Thanks. So I got him to talk about his plan, etcetera etcetera, he had some sort of remote on him that was bad news so I got him to disable it after learning all the details. Tested him a bit more by disabling the genjutsu, he looked shocked to see that I was still around but didn't say much. We got to the border safely, and he's in the custody of the Hot Water border patrol now. They've called the Frost in to take care of the rest."

"Hm."

"Exposing him would have been difficult. My word against his, and I doubt that accusing someone affiliated with the government of treason would have gone over well. We can make the report back home and raise awareness internally, of course..."

"That was more than enough, Kurenai. You were brilliant. Especially since you did well not to be killed by Fubuki."

"Was that her name?"

"Yes. Fubuki Inugami. She has passed on by now...we had a duel, as part of several cascading agreements with her and her elder brother, Yamato. He is the Inugami Clan head at current. We deduced many things around the same time as you did, including the fact that Moyasu betrayed all of us."

"So you fought her and won, huh...managing to get out of a tough situation like that is just like you," she says with a nod. "So...what's happening at the moment?"

"Well, as part of the agreement made earlier, our group was able to continue living, and I made a demand of Yamato that he live as well, doing as Ittan asks. She has made the decision to live in the forest from here on, bearing children for the sake of the Inugami and becoming the clan mother."

"Uh." Kurenai blinks. "That's...certainly an escalation."

"She expressed her desire to save the clan and the forest privately with me as we were travelling up here. So it wasn't terribly surprising to me. Still very bold, though. And quite brave. I admire her for that."

"Yeah, I feel the same...what a girl." A pause. "Listen, Lili...thanks for looking after everyone."

"You don't need to say that much, Kurenai."

"I feel like I should. Something like this is a whole lot to put on anyone's shoulders, but especially yours. I know that you're a jounin. That you're accepted as an elite shinobi in our village, and throughout the shinobi world. But you're still a young girl. That's what I think about about sometimes."

"It is true. I...do feel it from time to time. The sort of weight that comes down from time to time. But it's thanks to people like you that I can endure, and can continue to grow brilliantly. Kurenai...thank you for your concern. I truly appreciate it."

"Any time, Lili."

I give her a bright smile.

"We can exchange notes properly later. I'm sure you'll find paperwork relaxing, as you always do."

"There is a soothing element to it, yes. Writing notes and drinking tea...ah, Temari may have been right."

"About what?"

"Being a dirty old man in a young girl's body."

"Sheesh. And I thought your tongue was sharp."

"Right? She's very spicy, one of the things I truly adore about her."

"That and the legs, you mean."

"Yes."

"Mm...hers really are nice, though. I'm kinda jealous..."

The worst is finally over. Kurenai has returned safely, and breakfast is ready as soon as we make it back to our base camp. We eat heartily and make plans in the meantime for our final trip to the border. The device is safe, no longer set to explode at Moyasu's whim. He is far away at the Frost Country border, unable to do us any harm. And with Yamato on our side, there should be no risk of interlopers ruining the mission any further.

So now, that leaves us with two options. Option one, destroy the device and create a cover story later. It's a dangerous thing, a threat to life itself. I know that much now. Option two, however...is even more appealing to me. And so, that is what we will go with today. A safe, convenient, and most importantly nigh-untraceable method of sabotage.

"I would like to have a look at the device, to see exactly how it works. An inspection is in order since Moyasu isn't here," I announce as I finish eating. "The last thing we should want is to complete the mission and then find out that something was damaged or came loose, and that we could have repaired in the meantime."

"I...don't think that's a good idea," Takato protests. "The machine's components are highly-"

"Yes, fine. I get it," I say with a sigh. "Keep your secrets to yourself, I don't care."

"I mean, I can explain to you what's going on in there at least. I'll have a look and then tell you if anything is actually wrong. Isn't that fair enough?"

I look over to Ittan who nods.

"Yes, I suppose so. Once we're all finished eating you can tell all about your fancy little machine."

Afterwards we sit down together and he begins to lecture me like a small child. I'm reminded of just how happy I will be once this mission is over and done with. I pick up information about the key components and start to put together a plan in my head.

"Hm...I really don't understand a lot of it, honestly. It would really help if I saw what things looked like, since I'm more of a visual learner," I say to him.

"Well...I guess one look is fine. It's not like you could ruin anything."

Prick. I smile sweetly at him. "Thank you so much. I really just want to do my job properly, you know?" We're on our way. Ittan is nearby as planned, and we exchange looks as Takato takes me to the device near the centre of the camp. He gets to one knee and opens the case, just as Ittan comes strolling in.

"Oop-!"

"Ahh!" She falls on top of Takato, knocking him to the ground. With the case wide open, I quickly flip through my memories and identify the mechanical components that I should target...right there. I quickly send electricity through my fingers and into the metal, pushing energy through the system. Once it's connected to everything else...it will definitely become overloaded with power, destroying the system from the inside out. And just to make extra sure things go the way I want, I slip a charged senbon inside before pulling my hand away. Ittan has done well to make a big show of her falling, and she picks herself up as soon as I catch her eye again.

"Ah, sorry~! Lots of snow around, really slippery and all!"

"Ugh, you stupid-" He pauses as I stare into his back. "I mean...just don't let it happen again. I've eaten enough snow on this nightmarish trip..."

"Right. Sorry again~"

"It's...it's fine." He fixes his clothing and turns to me again. "Now...I'll explain this to you as simply as I can..."

He eventually finishes blathering on, and I insincerely thank him for his 'effort' in condescending to me. The case for the device is closed, with him being none the wiser. Hopefully Moyasu isn't any savvier than this, but if he is then the feint with the senbon will likely throw him off to the nature of the true plan.

"Kobacchi, I'm gonna check the auto again. Wanna come with?"

"Sure. Let's take a walk."

We head back to the site where the motorized carriage sits, now covered with a thick layer of snow. I clear enough of it away so that Ittan can work properly, flipping up the hood and standing on the bumper to look inside. There's nice weather out today and plenty of light to use.

"Yeah...too much going on. It's screwed. Really can't fix it out here." She closes the hood and hops back down to the ground. "They'll probably get a few strong animals out here to pull it back to the Frost, so that's not my problem any longer."

"Is there anything in there we need to collect?" I ask.

"Nah, should be cleaned out. We're good."

"Alright. You're really going to be okay out here with Yamato?"

"Yeah. We kinda hit it off already, but...he's not gonna be railing me for the sake of the clan just yet, you know? We're gonna get to know each other a lot better first. Talk about family and stuff...see how I do raising any sort of kids first off, since we already have some little ones to take care of. Living arrangements, all that. I think things will be fine. He's really got it together."

"I would expect that much of a clan head."

"Maybe. My experience is that guys who are groomed to succeed their parents and all that are idiot snobs. Dated a few. Mostly assholes."

"Mm. You're not wrong there."

"Figured as much. But...like I said, we'll send word to you when our first baby comes. Don't kill yourself trying to be here for the live birth, either. It's fine if you're a few minutes late, or whatever."

"Yes. You really are an admirable girl, Reiko."

"Heh. I try. Thanks, Lili. For everything."

And so, the mission finally comes to a close. We dismantle our camp, gather our belongings, and start towards the Hot Springs border on foot. Yamato escorts us halfway with his wolf cousins and then bids us farewell.

"Before you go...uh, Rei? A few minutes?" he asks Ittan.

"That okay, Kobacchi?"

"It surely is. Go on, and take your time."

"Thanks. Alright, big boy. What's happening this time?" The two walk away a fair distance before starting their conversation. It's about a half hour long, which would feel tiresome in this climate if not for the day's nice weather. We make a small igloo as a group while waiting, and I finish the chimney as Ittan comes back, looking pleased with herself. Yamato gives us all one last wave before returning the way he came.

"Anything you would like to tell us?" Kurenai asks Ittan.

"Nope~! All confidential stuff for now."

"I see. Well, I guess that's alright, considering everything...and the mission's almost over anyways. I can see the border."

We're greeted by a coalition of shinobi, two companies from Hot Springs and Frost. The latter seem to be especially on edge and eager to take control of the next half of the mission. Nothing but a stone path along the ground is there to indicate that we're on the edge of Hot Water Country.

"The device, now," one of them barks.

I say nothing and nod to Takato, who takes the device to them and opens it up. It's a quick scan to see if anything is obviously out of place, and they seem satisfied as they close the case.

"You, mechanic, over here."

"Cranky bastards, ain't they," Ittan says with a smile. "Lili, I'll see you. Take care of yourself."

"Always. Be well, my love." We exchange friendly kisses before Ittan heads across to the other side of the border.

"Report. What happened to the vehicle?" another one says. "Which one of you is in charge here?"

Everyone present points towards me.

"Good morning to you. I would appreciate a bit more patience and courtesy on your end before I continue," I say politely.

"Listen, we're not-"

"What you're not going to do is speak to me with your filthy mouth like that," I counter. "Show some respect or we fuck off and go home, and you can figure everything out yourselves. Do we have an understanding, little man?"

"...ma'am. Please, if you would give us...a report on the incident," he says, flustered. Genma snorts while trying to hold in a laugh and Hana silently scolds him.

"Very good. I would be happy to do so," I say. "My name is Lilith Kobayashi, jounin of the Hidden Leaf and mission leader. The vehicle which we were given to use as transport broke down in the forest, a few miles south of us. As our mechanical expert Miss Inaba will tell you, the reason why the machine is out of commission is due to user error on the part of Mister Matou. After we set up camp, we came under attack by terrorists. They wore masks, so we could not ascertain their identities, but we did manage to drive them away after an intense battle. As you can see, the device has been secured, and all members are now in the custody of the Hidden Frost."

"Fine. The other scientist is safe with us. As of now, your part in this mission is over. Take this scroll and return to your village. We will send a message to the Hidden Leaf as soon as we reach our home village."

He throws me a scroll and I catch it. The group leaves shortly afterwards, without another word.

"So that's it, huh," Genma says. "Anti-climactic, not that I'm complaining any."

"It seems to be so," I say as I put the scroll away. "We've done what we needed to, and we are all safe. All has ended well. Thank you everyone, you've done very well these past few days. I appreciate all of you."

"After all of the danger it presented...you gave them the device," Shino says.

"Of course I did. It's going to cause them problems, and I made sure of that myself. I was allowed to look at it for a bit, you see...various things happened. You know how it goes. So, now that we're done here, we should head home. It won't take very long since it's just us shinobi now, and we're not forced to ride around in a vehicle. Is everyone ready?"

"I'm good to go," Kurenai says as she raises her hands over her head.

"I am too," Hina says.

"The same," Shino follows.

"Ready over here," Hana says. The Haimarus all bark after her.

"Yep, let's head home," Genma says. "Hell of a trip. I should hang out with you more often, Princess."

"Really."

"Well, if you clean up as well as you did today, it's practically a vacation. And any excuse to push around Kurenai is good."

"Oi."

"He does have a point, you know. There's just something about the reactions you elicit..."

"You know, it wouldn't be too much of a hassle if I transferred off of the team-"

"Sensei, don't talk like that. You won't leave us," Hina scolds her.

"Why not?"

"You adore us far too much," Shino says.

"The hell I do. Lili is an awful influence on you two. You used to be such good kids!"

"Kurenai, you're exaggerating," Hana says as we start to run together. "You love her to bits, and you know it."

"The whole world's gone crazy...siding with the biggest brat I've ever known. What did I do to deserve this?"

"A brat, eh. I'll remember that, Miss Yuuhi."

"Yeah, well I hope you do."

We look at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Two days pass before we make it back home, without incident. Kurenai agrees to deliver the reports by hand, and everyone goes their separate ways. The afternoon warmth of the Leaf is very soothing after so many days in the cold. I miss Ittan already, but...well, hopefully the next time I visit, it's in late spring or something to that effect.

"I'm home."

My voice drifts into the empty apartment. Luna is still away, and Midori has to be busy with her own things. I can always ask her about certain things later, when everyone is together again. Oh, it's been a busy time. I feel stiff from that monumental effort of a few days ago, and to fix that a hot bath will do. I make myself some tea and take it into the bath with me, soaking in perfectly heated water.

"Ah, delicious..."

I smile and close my eyes, enjoying the scents and sensations that surround me.

The phone nearby rings a few minutes later. I wonder who it might be. Ino, perhaps?

"Good afternoon, Lili Kobayashi speaking. Oh, Tsume. Thank you, it's wonderful to be back. Yes, I meant to talk to you about that, but you were on a mission, so...yes. Yes, of course. Hana was splendid, and I'm glad that I took her along. There was a bit of a rough patch that she was indispensable for." I sip my tea. "Mm. Yes. No need to worry, nothing like that went on. I did promise to be a good girl. Besides, there was another cutie that was vying for my attention on the trip. Oh? No, I'm actually in the bath right now, having myself a lovely time. I have nothing else scheduled for the next little while. The Inugami Clan, yes. I would like to hear more about them, if you had the time..."