Scarlet Justice - ep. 134
"Permanence"

"Lili! There's a big letter for you!"

"One moment, please."

I pause my combing and decide to put my hair up temporarily. It's morning in the Leaf, about a week or two after our most recent trip to the Iron Country. The heat has been rising steadily as we transition into the heart of summer; while certainly not as bad as Wind Country might be at the moment, some days do give off the impression of baking gently in an oven.

"Captain Kobayashi, ma'am. It was requested that I deliver this to you personally if you were present. Sorry to disturb you, ma'am."

"Not a problem at all, darling." It's the young man I sent off with those documents previously. Perhaps there is some symbolism at play here.

"Your items, ma'am. From Lord Hokage, by way of Miss Tamaki Kurogane."

"Thank you kindly." I take the large envelope from him, and it does have a weight to it. It seems like a good sign, at least. "How have you been lately?"

"Ma'am. Taking care of myself as you've requested."

"So you remembered. Lovely. Thank you again for this delivery, and continue to grow in body and mind." I smile and reach up to pat his cheek. "Take care, now."

"I will, ma'am," he says with a smile back. "Thank you. Ma'am, and ma'am." He bows towards me and then Fio before leaving. Fio closes the door after him.

"So you guys know each other?" she asks.

"He was the one I sent off with my plans all that time ago."

"Ooh, I see. He's cute, I like him."

"I feel much the same. Simply adorable, and he's grown an inch or two since the last time. I'm sure he'll become a fine young man soon enough." I walk over to the kitchen table and open the envelope carefully. "Let's see what we have..."

"Hope it's good news!"

My delivery takes the form of a few loose sheets, such as signed official papers and certificates, and then a bound booklet that must contain about a hundred or so pages. The first piece of paper tells me what I need to know.

The proposal for our new orphanage and housing complex has been fully approved!

"We've done it. We've actually done it," I say with a big smile. "Fio, we've done it!"

"It's happening?!"

"Yes!"

"Congratulations! We did it!" We wrap each other up in a big hug. "But you did all the work, didn't you?"

"I did. But you were, and always will be, my inspiration. Besides, we will be in this together the whole way through. I'll be counting on your support, my love."

"Got it."

"Ah. Well, I have some reading to do later. Phone calls to make...Ane-ue will be very pleased at the news. I have to contact the estate, and the businesses making inquiries. And this place will be going up for sale..."

"Really?" Fio looks around at everything. "Oh, right! You did mention that we were moving."

"It will be a while before that happens, but...we should prepare now while we still can. Today however, was always intended as a day of rest. We can add a day of celebration in later."

"We sure can. Oh, far as I know, Karin should be good to go for your meeting. It's in an hour, right?"

"Yes, around that time. Thank you for facilitating it, love."

"No problem. Thank you for looking out for the team. That Sai looks shadier every time I see him nowadays..."

"He will be dealt with soon enough, I assure you. Now...I should continue getting ready for the day. Did you want to read through the documents first, Fio?" I ask her.

"Hmm...I'll wait until we can have a read along together. Looks like pretty high level stuff, at least for me right now."

"That is very much fine. Believe me when I say that some of this terminology can be opaque for even the most experienced legal minds."

"Yikes." She sticks her tongue out. "Sounds like it's designed to be a real pain in the ass, then."

"You have the bulk of it, yes. Alright, I will see you in a while. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast," I say while patting her head.

"I will!"

Today's meeting is with Karin, Fio's teammate who I met earlier. She has quite the taste for me, and I really am curious as to why that is. Especially with the things I've been hearing by way of Ino. Apparently she and Sasuke met once before, and she was enamoured with him at the time. Is that she's awakened to a new nature, too? I suppose I will find out, since she's hinted through Fio that she had some things close to her heart that she wants to reveal to me. And since I'm quite good at keeping secrets, she would have nothing to fear from my end.

"Hm..."

I look in the mirror and brush at my scarlet hair. Her colours are similar to mine, but I don't think we could be related. It's more likely that she has a connection of some kind to those of the Uzumaki bloodline. Hiruzen has told me many a story over tea, and there were two prominent women of this village that had hair just like ours. Mito Uzumaki, the first known jinchuuriki of the Nine Tailed Fox and wife of the Founder. And Kushina Uzumaki, a woman of the same blood who was sent to the Leaf for the purpose of succeeding her as the second jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails. The wife of the Fourth Hokage, and strong in her own right. And not least of all, Naruto's mother. She died on the night of his birth.

Would he know his mother's face? Was their time together too short to him to even know her existence? Compared to him...I was blessed enough to know my mother for seven years, to bond with her and learn much from her. It made our parting much more painful, yes, but I don't regret those memories. If Naruto were to know that past...how would that change him? I have to wonder if there is a divide there, not just between us, but between himself and Sasuke. He lost his family when he was old enough to know them as well.

"..."

That experience of pain. I wonder if that is a necessary thing to ascend in this world. Something to overcome, so that one can properly connect with the downtrodden. Or...more than that. There is probably something I'm missing.

I run my hands through my hair and shake it out. Everything looks fine.

"I can ruminate on those things later. For now, I shall shift my attention to the lovely Karin."

I lightly spray a bit of perfume on my neck and put on a simple enough outfit for the day. A silk shirt, comfortable shorts, and a straw hat on top to keep away the sunlight. I take a pair of sunglasses out of their leather-lined box, and take a look at myself in the full length mirror. Good. I should be quite ready to go. I grab my purse and head out.

"Fio, a final check."

"Yep!"

She gulps down her juice and runs over to look at me as I pose.

"Nice. Hmm...you should go with the rainbow sandals today."

"A good call." I nod and step into the wooden sandals I have at the door. The wedge heels came to mind, but these are sensible for a little date like this.

"Yeah, looking good. Have yourself a good time, and don't give Karin too much trouble!"

"No promises."

"Sheesh." She kisses me on the cheek. "I'll be here hanging out. Call if you need anything."

"I'll remember. Thank you, my love."

Fio opens the door and closes it behind me, so as to keep the cool air inside the apartment. I adjust my hat and sunglasses, make sure my purse is securely over my shoulder, and clear the steps to start off.

Today's location is a familiar one: the cafe run by our intelligence community's darling, Mai. She's reserved a table outside for us, and I have my usual stock of seals to ensure an adequate bit of privacy. Karin is already up ahead, nervously waiting for me to arrive.

"I see we've dressed up nicely for today."

"O-oh...was it too much?" she asks.

"Not at all, you look quite lovely. I appreciate the effort you've taken. You're not too warm, are you?"

"I'm fine, I promise. Thank you for asking." She's chosen a very cute dress for today, in a peach colour with little frills and ribbons along the edges. Thin straps go over her shoulders, and the fabric seems to flow freely along with her body. If she wanted to make a good second impression, she's certainly succeeded. Though I do hope she's not enduring any discomfort for my sake.

"Good. Have yourself a seat, darling. Our food will be coming in shortly." I seat her before sitting across from her, and then attach a paper seal to the underside of our table. That should afford us an extra bit of privacy while we're here.

"I have to apologize, Captain-"

"Ah, ah. You should remember by now."

"Sorry. Um...Lili." She blushes. "I wanted to apologize for being so nervous still..."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Karin."

"Really? I...even if I tell you what's happening...would you be alright with it?"

"Hm. I'm not bothered by much in this world of ours. Esoteric things, for the most part." I shrug and set my purse on the table, then take off my sunglasses. "Of course, anything you mean to tell me will stay between us."

"Of course. I trust you, Lili."

"Thank you for that. Now, it looks as if you have something to reveal to me. Would you be so kind as to tell me what's on your mind right now?"

"Y-yes. It's...strange, in a lot of ways. But I really feel like I can trust you with this, so..." She takes a few deep breaths and steadies herself. "You see, my ability...it allows me to sense anyone's chakra signature, without needing to go through the normal processes. I can pretty quickly figure out the difference between two people, or two animals, or a person and an animal...down to the small details. How big the chakra is, how strong it is, how much someone has left..."

"And that includes fluctuations due to altered states, or flares of emotion," I say.

"Yes, exactly."

"It sounds like an incredible ability. Little wonder that Orochimaru coveted you."

"There were...many experiments. He valued me for the data I could provide him...at least, that's what I remember of that person."

"So you have a very unique skill," I conclude. "I take it there are significant drawbacks to using it?"

Karin shakes her head. "Nothing like that, at least on a physical level. I guess that if I push my chakra down too far, I can't use my sensing at all...but I think that's common enough among shinobi. The really important thing you should know is that I get attached to people...in a strange way."

"Hm?"

"You can think of it as a drawback, of sorts. Since I can sense chakra in the way that I do, I become attracted to boys based on the quality of their chakra."

"Ah..."

"Or...I thought it was just boys, at least." She runs a hand through her hair. "I met Sasuke during the Chuunin Exams. Actually, he saved me after I lost track of my teammates. I guess he was looking for a Heaven scroll because I had an Earth one, and he wasn't interested in it. But I never forgot that moment. He was smiling, and he looked so cool and confident...I managed to get a good look at him before he left, and from that point on I couldn't get him off my mind. Everything about him just felt perfect. Our team didn't pass the exams because of everything that happened, but I took that memory home with me and cherished it."

"I see."

"But...the other day when I met you. That was so much different. If I had to describe Sasuke's chakra in words, it was beautiful and brilliant. It drew me to him in a few moments, and I haven't felt anything like it since. But with you, Lili...I..." She bites her lip gently. "It's so much more than that, in every way. Something not of this world, I know it for a fact. An incredible thing that would make anyone want to kneel at your feet, if they could feel the things I felt. It was too much and not enough at the same time, something that I felt completely immersed in. You can probably tell that I'm feeling a little strange right now..."

"Hard to miss," I say with a smile.

"I'm slowly getting used to the feeling...like I can control myself better. Enough to talk with you properly, at least. I just...I don't know if I like you like that, or it's just how your chakra feels. I-I mean, I don't even know if you-"

"I do, just so you know. You might have heard rumours here and there...there is a bit of truth to them," I say casually.

"So you and Fio are...I-I see. Um, but I don't know if I...you know."

"Karin, it's perfectly fine. You have more than enough time to figure things out, and I'll be here for you if you need me."

"Really?"

"Really," I assure her. "Besides, Fio and I might have an interest in alternative arrangements. We can talk about it, surely. But I also wouldn't mind a platonic relationship, if that's what you want. There's no hurry for any of it, in any case."

"You're so accommodating...seriously, you just make it harder on me," she says with a smile. "Thank you for accepting these...awkward feelings. I just want to be close to you like this, from time to time. This warmth is...it's so wonderful. And I can truly enjoy it, now that I've lifted that weight from my chest. Thank you again for hearing me out."

"But of course. I would be remiss to let such a lovely flower wilt by the roadside. Make sure you come to me or Fio if you need anything. I do love taking care of my darlings, and hate to see them in distress. It is something born of selfishness, but I never claimed to be a good girl in the first place."

"Speaking of that...um."

"You know some of my reputation, don't you?"

"I've heard many things...like the time you killed two hundred bandits alone..."

"Hm." Mai delivers our food and drink faithfully, then leaves as quickly as she came after acknowledging us. A consummate professional, as always. "That story has made it around the world by now, hasn't it..."

"It sounds pretty scary."

"Perhaps so. Suffice it to say, I did slaughter a group of bandits on my first mission. And I did take great pleasure in doing so. That must be the other half you're aware of."

"She...doesn't exist by herself. Not like with other people, where one side takes over the other. You're the same type of person, in the end...I can feel that part flowing outwards as well." Karin reaches up with a trembling hand to adjust her glasses. "And to add to the strange things I've already said, it's...something else that pulls me in. That sort of darkness..."

"A bitter flavour to underline the sweetness, you would say?"

"Yes...that's a very elegant way to put it. As expected of you."

"Well, I do try," I say with a flip of my hair. "Oh, you simply must enjoy one of Mai's sandwiches while they're warm. Have a bite, or three."

"Alright." Karin looks at the sandwich curiously before taking a bite out of it. Her eyes widen as she chews. "W-wow. Delicious!"

"I told you. They're just as good cooled off, but I wanted you to experience that flavour at least once."

"I've never had a sandwich like this...it's so good..." She eagerly takes a few more bites, finishing it off before picking up another.

"Have as many as you like. They're good when it comes to calories, too."

"R-really? Something this tasty...I can use it to stay in shape...hmm."

We quietly eat for a few minutes. Mai brings out a pot of tea and my usual bottle of milk before disappearing again.

"Ah, refreshing as always," I say. "So. Have you and Fio talked about your shared past?"

Karin finishes her glass of water and dabs at her mouth with a napkin. "We did. In fact, it was one of the first things that I brought up. We never crossed paths often, and I almost didn't recognize her. She looked so much different...but I pieced together that she was the project that Orochimaru was working on so often, up to a certain point. He never mentioned her by name, just talked about how special and fascinating she was."

"I see. And I know you're going to say something about how you could have changed her fate. Don't do that."

"But...isn't it the case?"

"No. I don't believe it was, and even if you came together enough to get to know each other, you would have had to deal with both Kabuto and Orochimaru. I am sure you know that the former alone is more than a match for most shinobi."

"Kabuto was...scary in his own right."

"I could only assume that much. It's why Orochimaru made him his right hand in the first place. You do not need to, nor should you, blame yourself for any parts of this tragedy. You are a survivor, and you should be treated with care. Not blamed for failing to dismantle the schemes of an extremely powerful shinobi, when you are just a young girl yourself."

"I...I understand. Thank you, Lili."

"Of course."

"You've been through some terrible things yourself...at least, I can feel it from here. All of the stories and rumours said that you were scary, and pretty snobby."

"Hmph." I brush back some of my hair. "I'll freely admit to both of those. The opinions of the masses have no significant impact on my health. Let them say as they please."

"Y-yeah. That's what I imagined. But it's surprising, and comforting...to know that you're as kind as you are. It's more than just having your own pain that allows for that. I think it's a true compassion for people, and wanting to understand them. Some of them, at least." She rubs at her cheek. "Like allowing me to reach out to you like this. It might be because you think I'm cute."

I nod. "That's exactly it, yes."

"Not even trying to hide it."

"No, that's quite boring."

She sighs and gives me a smile. "I see. But it makes sense. I don't think you would be as amazing any other way."

"Thank you for that, Karin. Compliments are always welcome, and treasured. Especially because you're cute," I say with a saucy wink. She predictably blushes before coughing to steady herself.

"There was one more thing I wanted to ask..."

"Anything your heart desires," I say before sipping at my tea.

"Among the many things I've heard around the village, you're said to be good at tracking enemies and the like. I assume it's because you have a sensing ability of your own, but it's much more than that. I want to do my best while I'm in the village, so..."

"You must have a routine that you want to follow after so long, yes?"

She nods. "Something like that."

"Coming from the environment that you did most likely instilled some basic wants within you. Well, we can satisfy that much. I will refer you to one of my associates once we're done. She's taking care of another one of my darlings at the moment. Her name is Nami Hyuuga."

"Ah...of the Hyuuga Clan? That's one of the Leaf's..."

"Yes, yes. They're a big enough deal and I can respect that much, if not their personnel. Hinata and Hanabi are my sisters-"

"Hanabi? Isn't that the clan heiress?"

"She is, yes."

Karin nervously adjusts her glasses. "I-I see...and you talk about them so casually. You really are beyond the rest of us. So Lady Nami can help me?"

"She can, yes. I have a great respect for her, and she can get you any resource of your choosing. But I should first give you a little tutorial on where and when to acquire certain materials for yourself. Settle in and listen, but don't be afraid to interrupt if there's something you don't understand." I reach into my purse and hand Karin a small notepad. "There you are."

"Thank you so much. I'm ready!" she says eagerly. Karin really is adorable...I simply can't wait to see her grow along with the rest of us. And with that ability of hers, she can definitely become a piece of the greater puzzle that I intend to solve. But the most important thing right now is to get her comfortable and working.

"Good. Now, from what I know about you, you're far more of a support type kunoichi when in the field. You shouldn't neglect combat, but you want to focus on tools that will help you and your teammates gain the upper hand. For the greatest performance, we want some equipment tailored to the female form. I frequent these little shops as of now..."

After we finish our date, I hand Nami's contact information to Karin and send her off with a hug. She makes sure to squeeze back for a little longer than usual, but I couldn't mind that. I watch her leave, a contented look on her face.

"Ah, that went well. Another sweetheart to add to my list," I say with a smile. "I can never have too many of those."

I was planning to walk her home, but she had other errands to run. So that leaves me by myself to head back. The sun isn't as oppressive this hour, which is pleasing. More people are out on the streets, enjoying themselves in the warmth.

Ichiraku Ramen isn't far from here. Maybe I should stop in to say hello.

"No, it's nothing like that...don't get ahead of yourself, okay?"

"Seriously? You really can't tell me?"

"No. That's what the old man said, anyways. Him and Imari. He'd let it go, but she'd kill me."

"Ah, yeah. She can get scary sometimes..."

"..." As I near the establishment, I can see two people sitting together. I couldn't miss either of those voices, for wildly differing reasons.

Naruto and Sasuke.

"So you're almost back in business."

I see Sasuke shrug. "Maybe. It's gonna take some time before everything is fully cleared."

"Yeah. Heh, all that from one strong lady. Bet you won't underestimate a woman again in your life," Naruto says.

"Hrm...they're all murder machines of some type lately..."

"You've got yourself to blame for that, you know."

"I know, yeah. Just...don't rub it in, alright. I know what I did, I screwed up."

"Understatement of forever, dude." Naruto slurps up his noodles. "Don't worry about it, things will be okay."

"You think so, huh."

"Well, you're here, aren't you?"

Sasuke sighs. "Somehow...you have a point there."

"Good. And don't worry, I'll be around to kick your ass before one of those murder machines, or whatever you call women nowadays, does it for me. Sound like a good deal?"

"Shut up, idiot."

"Hehehe..."

He's recovering, at least. Both of them are. I don't feel happy about that, or angry at Sasuke. It's a strange feeling, one that I haven't felt in a while. It was the same as when I tried to talk with Sakura a few months ago.

"..."

There is a part of me that cares. Whether it's because of Itachi's wish, or Naruto's, or that feeling inside of me that remembers what it was like to lose someone I loved so much. In the end, it doesn't matter. It was as I told Karin earlier. I am not a good person...but I want to be a fair one, in some ways at least. To balance that with the notion of justice is the real challenge.

Justice would mean that Sasuke died for the crimes he committed.

Fairness means that he gets this second chance to change and become better.

Which is right for the shinobi world? No, I know the answer to that. The real question is to figure out which is right for the people within this shinobi world. But then, I might be leaning towards an answer on that as well. It might be that right now...the only thing holding me back is the ability to pull the right levers.

"I suppose we can see about that when the time comes."

In this dream of mine, even Sasuke must have a place. The hollow place in my heart when I think of him...that cold loathing which seems to never change, no matter what I try to do. Even with all of that, I believe it to be true. But then...is there something else?

I focus from afar and change my perception of the world, watching the flow of life appear before me once again. The shining points of light drift past me in the sun's rays.

"..."

There is something afoot.

The strange, distant shadow that was with Naruto the last time has appeared again...it is by the tiniest of margins, but I can see that it is clearer than the last time. But that is not the immediate problem.

The immediate problem is that Sasuke has something similar attached to him.

It is of a different shade, that much I can tell. But these entities are only appended to Naruto and Sasuke. Nobody else. It is some sort of unique phenomenon. I will have to do more research, but it is an intriguing development. What could something like that mean? What do Naruto and Sasuke share that so many others don't?

I focus and have the world return to normal. More questions that I must keep to myself, for now.

"That should be enough. Let's go home to Fio."

There is still so much to do. But for now, I should rest. I'll have this all figured out in time. I'm Lili, after all.