Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom – ep. 12
"Legacy"
[Kazekage Rescue Mission, Part 7: Conclusion]
Today is a new day. With some time left before the rest of my comrades arrive, I decide to catch up with the girls. It has been a while after all, and with all of the activity we haven't had a chance to properly talk. I leave the hotel and start down the road towards our meeting place.
"Hey~! Good morning!"
"Good morning, Makoto. Did you have a good rest?" I ask.
"Sure did. Oh, the big boss said he's gonna have a party for us. Pretty cool stuff, right? It's gonna be in a few days, though, so..."
"It would have been nice to have you there," Aiko says.
"Well, I think it might be for the best. The three of you deserve to have all the glory to yourselves...you did work hard after all, and performed admirably in a stressful situation."
"We definitely did," Suketsune says. "But having you with us helped a lot."
"So, um...before anything else. I gotta say two things." Makoto puts her hands together and bows her head. "First off...thank you for all of your help, Lili. Not only did you bring Aiko back safely, but you saved the Kazekage and protected our village from a really big threat. I don't really care if it makes us sound weak, or anything like that. We really needed the help, and you raced here without a second thought. So...none of us will ever forget what you did. Thank you so much."
"Makoto..."
"And the second thing...well." She puts her hands behind her head and smiles. "I noticed that you're very much like a morning bowl of oatmeal."
I raise a brow. "Is that so."
"Yup. Both of you are thick, hot, and absolutely delicious!"
I blink at that before snorting loudly with amusement. Oh, god. That was awful.
"I wouldn't blame Aiko for breaking up with you right now," Suketsune says from behind her sleeves.
"How...are you a real person?" Aiko asks in disbelief.
"Oh, come on. Wasn't that bad...Lili liked it."
"I can't believe you said that in public. To another person. I am in hell."
"I appreciate your...ah, creative compliment, Makoto. Thank you for all of that," I say with a smile.
"Hehe. But I mean, seriously...if Aiko wasn't the most stupendously amazing and irreplaceable girlfriend in the whole wide world-"
"You're still awful, just so you know."
"-then I'd be all over you like soy sauce on rice. I mean...whoa, mama. A hundred pounds of sexy in a five pound bag."
"You're going to dehydrate yourself at this rate," I quip.
"I'll be a mummy within the hour, and I'll die happy."
"I wouldn't be happy, you idiot," Aiko says.
"Come on, hon. Look at this work of art in front of us...I know you're thinking the same thing I am. Okay, maybe you're a little less thirsty, but still!"
She sighs. "Okay, yeah...fine. You're not wrong."
"Mm? What might that mean?" I ask.
"Now you're teasing me too? You're so awful, Lili." She presses her fingers together and blushes. "You look really good and everything. I...admit that I'm a bit jealous. At your legs, especially. They're...really nice."
"I keep telling her she shouldn't worry so much about her height. She's just the cutest, you know?" Makoto says.
"I don't want to be cute! And if you even think of picking me up right now, I swear I'll-"
"Let's not get too frisky in public, ladies."
I giggle at that. Suketsune's certainly grown up. "I noticed we've got ourselves a spicy one over here now. It's very lovely to see."
"Ain't it? A while back I heard Suketsune give a guy the business, almost made the big lug cry, too! After that, she's been getting more confident with each day," Makoto says. "It's so awesome."
"Well, it only makes sense. I don't think I could stay shy forever, especially not around such vibrant teammates," Suketsune says with a smile.
"More confident and more beautiful," I say. "Very nice."
"You think so?" she asks, blushing. "It's just been a few things with my hair, and maybe some clothing, so...but I'm glad you think it worked out, Lili. Thank you for the compliments."
"Hmhm. No trouble at all. Now, I think we've flirted in public view enough for now. Shall we have ourselves a late breakfast?"
"I thought you rich folks had your own thing. What was it called, again?"
"Brunch," Aiko says to Makoto. The four of us start to walk towards the restaurant we picked out earlier.
"Yeah. Dumb as hell, and the food options suck. All sorts of hoity toity finger foods and stuff for drunks. Just have one thing or the other, breakfast or lunch. It won't kill you."
"It's nice every once in a while, I think."
"I guess. That one time we went to Remi's place was pretty cool, though I probably wouldn't do it again."
"Haha-ue doesn't care much for it either," I say. "She has the events to appease acquaintances, but doesn't eat much of anything in them. She would rather have a late lunch instead."
"Weird."
"Keeping up appearances is important in our world, especially. But it's not exactly an unknown thing everywhere else."
"Yeah, true. Keeping up with everyone else, and trying to look like you're more elite than you actually are. Sucks." Makoto sighs. "It'd be nice if the money bags around here were more like you and Remi, or even Gaara and them."
"A strong example would be enough to set them straight, I think. This shinobi world came to be because of Hashirama Senju's ambition, to build a village where people could finally settle and live in peace. Things like that are influential," I say.
"Oh, speaking of stuff like that...Remi mentioned that there's a big project happening in the Leaf," Aiko says. "A bunch of low priced homes for people who are struggling, and a privately-funded orphanage."
"No shit? Huh, guess rich people do have hearts after all." Makoto pauses. "Wait..."
"Lili, I'm sure that's your doing," Suketsune says.
"You caught me," I reply with a smile.
"I knew it. You're going around trying to change the world and stuff, aren't you? Figures that you'd do something like that. Listen, don't go killing yourself or something stupid. Call on us if you need even a little bit of help, you got that?" Makoto says. "Promise that you will."
"I promise, darling."
"Good. It would seriously suck if you worked yourself to death...you're one of the good ones, after all."
Makoto has come quite a way from her perpetual spite of the wealthy. Though I won't even think of scolding her for any lingering thoughts. The upper crust of this world does have a tendency to do some despicable things in order to protect their positions. Taking advantage of the strife that goes on in this world, and continually manipulating the world's most powerful shinobi. Putting an end to that will be near the top of my list when it comes to changing this world.
We finally reach the restaurant and get ourselves a comfortable booth, right near a window that has the sun's light shining through. That reminds me...I need to scout good spots for sunlight in the village when I get back. It's because of my time away that I understand why Midori loves to lie out in the sun so much...so nice. And those rare days in winter are such a treat...
"Ah, looks great! Nothing like a big breakfast!"
Makoto happily starts on her food ahead of us. I pour myself a cup of tea and then do the same for everyone else.
"We had our debriefing earlier this morning," Aiko says. "Granny Chiyo took me aside afterwards and apologized for what she said, back in the hospital room."
"Ah. Good for her."
"Yeah. She said that even if she felt that way, it wasn't something to say out loud. It wasn't any harsh feeling towards my mom...just bitterness at the village declining year after year. It got so bad that she and Grandpa Ebizo took themselves out of the loop entirely."
"Mm."
"Lord Kankuro said something interesting, too." I pass over the eggs to her and she nods her thanks. "That Granny Chiyo wasn't the type of person to really believe in others, or in the future of the village. She thought that we were all doomed. I don't know if I can blame her, since she went through so much. Losing her children, and her grandson becoming a criminal...most people would have a hard time dealing with that."
"You don't want to boast about your own inner strength."
"Yeah, exactly. All of that support has been a blessing to me. But I guess she's entrusted the future to all of us, and she seems a lot nicer now. Happier, even. It's thanks to your strength, Lili."
"Mm! That's right!" Makoto says after gulping down her tea. "You're the same gal that melted my icy heart, you know?"
"I suppose that makes sense. You were a stubborn one, Makoto."
"Lady Chiyo will be able to convince the rest of the Shinobi Council that our continued partnership with the Leaf is valuable," Suketsune says. "I trust that will help with your future plans."
"Once the shinobi world is stabilized, yes. Akatsuki is a large problem, for reasons aside from kidnapping world leaders. If we don't stop them now, they'll bring ruin to everything in other ways," I say. "It would be nice if the other villages cooperated, but as of now it's slow going."
"Sucks that we can't do too much as we are. Gonna take a while before any of us can hang with S-Class thugs and the like," Makoto says. "Teamwork only goes so far, unfortunately. Cap, you think that Deidara guy is gonna come back around?"
"Not for a while yet, if he's even thinking of it. Without the help he had from a former village native, it would be quite hard to try and pull the same thing off twice. Not to mention the fact that Gaara is far from a fool...countermeasures would be in place to prevent what happened before."
"Makes sense. I bet we're still gonna be on high alert for a while. That means we won't be able to help much on the outside."
"We have a few contacts working with the Leaf that will help us cover a wide area. I also intend to discuss these matters with Lord Hokage and make a few moves of my own. For now, the three of you should focus on your own development and keeping the village afloat."
"It should be easier than before," Suketsune points out.
"You're referring to the new daimyo, yes?" I ask her.
"Yes. In comparison to the old ruler, the purse strings have been loosened, and that has allowed for the village to start some form of recovery. Combined with Lord Hokage's influence, more opportunities for missions have been coming to us." She takes a sip of tea. "Yushiro spoke to me last night about what he heard over the normal channels. The councillors were quite desperate to keep the fact that Lord Kazekage was kidnapped under wraps...some even suggested an interim Kazekage be elected so as to help the village stabilize sooner."
As hard as he's worked, Gaara hasn't earned everyone's trust yet. Politics continues to be a terribly savage thing.
"Of course," she continues, "they're also not happy about the fact that it was the Leaf's ace that defeated Sasori and rescued Lord Kazekage all at once. Between this event and the Leaf's forgiveness for the joint invasion nearly four years ago...it's safe to say that the upper levels of the village feel like they have a heavy collar around their necks."
"There is an irony to the fact that their only way out might be through the village son they disparage so much," I say with a smile. "But even that passage is narrow, and Gaara knows it."
"Wow. You think that's why he was so, um...what's the word," Aiko mutters. "Reverent, I think. He's very reverent towards you."
"Not in its entirety, love. I know for a fact that he is quite grateful for my mercy, and for the assistance that I have consistently rendered towards him personally. But...he also does see me as the future of the world. It makes sense for him to place his faith in me, not just on a strategic level, but on a spiritual one as well. I don't believe he is simply playing a role to get ahead of the game. He's too cool-headed for that, honestly."
"It's a mutual respect, then?"
"Yes, that is it."
"I see...that's good to know. I guess it's not really shinobi-like to worry about those things, or to wish that things were different. It's like Sasori said. Still, I think there's more than one way to be a good shinobi in the end."
"Yup! Totally agree!" Makoto says. "I mean, just look at the four of us. We're gorgeous, strong, and empathetic all at once. That's what makes us awesome, and we shouldn't change it for anything. Ain't that right, Cap?"
"Very well said, Makoto. We are who we are. Let nobody and nothing in this world change that."
"So I guess our job is just to work on what we can here," Aiko says.
"Yes, that's right."
"Okay. We can do that much for sure. Makoto, did you want to order something else? Lili said she's fine with it."
"Ooh, I forgot. In that case, I'll get one of those fancy steaks they had on the menu."
"There's a nice soup I saw, too. I think I'll try that."
"I wanted to try one of those coffee drinks...the one with the whipped cream they put on top," Suketsune says. "It looks tasty."
"We'll get all of that when the waiter comes back around," I say. "I think I should get us more tea, too..."
After finishing a delicious meal, Suketsune and Makoto part ways with us. Aiko takes my hand and leads me through the village.
"It wasn't something urgent, but Suketsune thought it would be a good thing for her and Makoto to do now. To give us some time together, and stuff."
"I see. Where are we going?" I ask.
"I wanted to show you where Mom is. There's a small shop close to the cemetery and everything..."
We make the stop and Aiko buys herself a few sturdy flowers. The burial ground is hidden away on the village outskirts, in the direction opposite of the entrance. Unlike the grave stones that have prism-like shapes in the Leaf, these ones in the Sand are upright, and formed in the shape of the village symbol. It looks something like an hourglass, with the village symbol itself at the stone's top, and the person's name below followed by a list of their titles and accomplishments.
"Hey, Mom. Sorry I haven't been around in a while, it's been so busy."
Aiko replaces the flowers in the nearby vase with fresh ones. With a puff of flame from between her lips, the old flowers are turned into ash and float away on the next breeze.
"I brought my friend that I was telling you about all those years ago. You remember Lili, I hope. She's really strong, and kind on top of all that."
"Hello, Miss Pakura," I say.
"See? So much has happened, Mom. I found out what really happened to you, and faced off against your old body. Sasori was such a creep, ugh. He tried to kidnap Gaara, too. Him and some weird guy on a bird who looked like one of those television actors. But guess what? We beat him down, together! I thought that would make you happy, to finally rest peacefully and everything. Not that I thought you would show up as one of the undead or anything...but yeah, a lot of stuff went down..."
Aiko crouches in front of the grave stone and chats away happily. I can tell that this is something she does often, judging by how clean the area is in comparison to others, and the state of the flowers she replaced. Momma was cremated...hurriedly, I realize now. Her wish was to be buried in the wood near the mansion, in a simple wooden box. She wanted her shell to be close to nature. I've no idea where her ashes are right now. Hopefully they're in the hands of the Rothschild Estate, but given my father's hurry to dispose of her body, it's possible those ashes have been scattered to the winds entirely. It's disappointing, but nothing that pains me too much. The important thing is that, thanks to our bond, she and her memories are always within reach.
"...and maybe I'll find Dad one day so I can tell him what happened. I know you'll always love him, but...my feelings are complicated. They always will be. But if we do cross paths again...I'll try my best. For your sake, Mom. I think that's all, it was a lot for one day! More than I've ever gone over at once. I'm so happy that I got back to tell you all of this. I love you, Mom. And I'm prouder than ever of you...and more than that, I'm more grateful than ever. Thank you for everything you did. For teaching me, for loving me, for giving your all to protect me and the whole village. That knowledge is going to make me stronger than ever. Who knows...maybe I'll become Kazekage one day, hehe. I doubt it since Gaara's so good at his job, but it doesn't hurt to be ready, right? At the least, I'll be as cool and strong as you."
Aiko kisses her hand, and then places it on top of the grave stone.
"Bye, Mom. See you soon." She turns to face me, looking as radiant as ever. "I didn't make you wait too long, did I?"
"Not at all, my love. Especially since it's made you so happy."
"Hehe. Thanks. Let's head back to the village...gotta get back into my role as Makoto wrangler again."
"Still a handful, is she?"
"Yeah. But she's my handful now, so...small blessings, like you would say."
"Indeed."
There is a slight feeling as we get ready to leave. Something in the air...like the faintest of whispers.
"..."
I close my eyes and focus, drawing on the power that sleeps inside of my soul. When my eyes open again, the flow of life appears before me, and the strength of the cosmos ripples through my mortal shell. In the midst of the drifting points of light, I spy something.
"There..."
"Lili?"
Aiko can't see anything, but I can. A woman in a white dress, familiar to me. Her skin is fair, and her green hair flows down to the middle of her back. Two long strands go down the sides of her face, tipped with orange.
"Oh, Aiko. I wish...that I could give you more for what you did. More than just speaking into the wind and hoping that it would reach you. You've done so well, and yet..."
I hear her sniffle.
"You're such a good girl. Coming to see me over and over...leaving these flowers, too. I wish..."
"You have a wish, do you?" I ask her. My lips do not move, but I know that she's aware of me now. She turns, her brown eyes shifting from side to side as she searches for the source of the voice.
"I shouldn't be...who is that?"
"I'm in front of you. Lady Pakura Mishoto, isn't it?"
"You're...Aiko's friend. Lili? But how can you..." Her eyes widen. "Are you some sort of shaman, or a medium?"
"Nothing like that. I merely have transcended the flimsy bounds of humanity."
"Er...something like that. Not sure I really get it..." She sighs. "I guess it doesn't really matter, does it..."
"Not really, no."
"I see. I'm sorry that you had to listen to my whining."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Pakura. What's important is your wish. You had something you wanted to do, didn't you?"
"I...wanted to...hold my daughter. For real, just one more time."
"I see. I don't have much experience in these sorts of things, but I know that I can grant your wish, even if it's just this once."
"What do you...wait, that's not possible. How could you grant my wish?"
"Borrow my body for a while," I say.
"I couldn't! You're-"
"There should be no harm done to me. I have interacted with my senpai, who exists on the plane of the cosmos...and all beings are connected by the power of chakra, after all."
"Do you...do you really think I could?"
"It was your strong feelings that allowed me to pick up on your presence in the first place. I know that if you truly want it, you can have this moment for yourself. I permit you to use my body for a while, Pakura. It's all up to you from here."
She presses her hands against her chest, thinking. Finally, with a determined nod, she moves towards me and puts her hands in mine.
"Allow your chakra to flow into me...and everything will happen on its own," I say calmly.
Pakura does as I say, and I feel her presence enter me. My eyes open on their own, and I stare down at my hands for a moment before my head moves to Aiko. She looks understandably worried.
"Lili, are you okay? You were totally zoning out...seriously, you're worrying me."
Go ahead, Pakura.
"I...I'm sorry about that," she says, with her own voice. "But she's..."
"Ah?" Aiko's eyes widen in shock. "That...that voice. There's no way..."
"It's me. It's really me, Aiko. Your mom."
"But that's not...possible..."
"Your kind friend let me borrow her body for a short time, because...I had a selfish wish. To hold you for the first time in so long."
"Mom...Mom!"
Aiko sobs and grabs onto my body. Pakura gently strokes her head.
"Oh, sweetie. I'm so glad...that I got the chance to do this. I wanted it for so long." She reaches down and pulls Aiko close. Aiko wraps her arms around my neck, still crying, and soaks up her mother's warmth as it radiates through my body.
"Mommy...I don't know how, but...I'm so happy it happened. I miss you every day, Mom."
"I know you do, sweetie. I miss you, too. I really have been listening to everything you've said, and I'm so happy that you came to see me as often as you could. It's your faith that lets me come visit this world so often, just to see how you're doing. Yusuke did such a good job raising you, and Remi is an amazing friend. Suketsune is a wonderful teammate and guardian for you, and Makoto is the kind of person I hoped you would spend your life with. Most of all, you're so strong, you're so brave and beautiful, you're everything I hoped and wished and dreamed for...Aiko, you're absolutely the best."
"Mom..."
"Aiko. I'm so proud of you. I'm happy that you freed me from Sasori's clutches, and that you put my body to rest in such a majestic way. I wanted you to know how much I think of you, and how special you truly are. Don't forget that..."
"I won't, Mom. I meant what I said, I'm gonna be really cool and strong like you! I promise!"
"I know you will, honey. I know you will."
I feel a small tremor go through my body.
Tell me how much longer you need, Pakura.
I feel her shake my head. It's fine. I can figure out that it's a bit of a strain on you...and I don't want to take advantage of your kindness. This is enough. I got to hold my baby girl again...I got to do the impossible, for just a moment.
"Aiko, sweetie? It's almost time. I want to stay longer, but..."
"I know. You don't want to hurt Lili, and neither do I. She's so wonderful."
"She really is. Meeting you again like this has really put my soul at ease...there's so many stories we could share, and memories we could go through. But I can just as easily leave it at this. This moment is something I know you'll cherish forever and ever, just as I will."
"Yeah. I'll remember this, always."
"Good...then there's not much left to say. It's time for me to go."
"Thank you, Mom...for everything. I love you so, so, so much."
"I love you too, Aiko. I always will, forever and ever." Pakura squeezes Aiko tight, one last time. I feel her starting to separate from my body. "You're a great kunoichi, and an even better human being. You're everything I wanted you to be. A beautiful daughter..."
I feel my eyes close.
"And a beautiful legacy."
I separate myself from Aiko gently, and look at Pakura's glowing form.
"Until next time, my beloved daughter."
"Yeah. Until next time, Mom."
"The Envoy of Almighty God, and Flower of Heaven...you who will erase the boundaries between this world and the next. Lili Kobayashi...thank you for this incredible gift. May you be blessed for all eternity and beyond."
"O Great Hero of the Hidden Sand, Pakura of the Scorch Release. Glory to your name forevermore," I say. "The dreams of you and of your precious daughter will be preserved, and thus will open the door to possibility. So shall it be."
She smiles and nods, her form changing into sparkling points of light.
"Praise be."
And with that, Pakura drifts into the next world...until the time where her daughter calls for her once more.
"I can't believe...that happened," Aiko says. "Lili...how did you even...?"
"It was a strength that I discovered a few years ago, and developed in bits and pieces since then. Though...that was the first time I've ever hosted another soul. Ah..."
I find my steps wavering a bit, and Aiko makes sure that I don't fall over.
"Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine, really. Just a bit disoriented, perhaps. Hosting another soul means hosting their chakra, so...it is quite warm presently, on top of everything else."
"That makes sense, I guess. Mom was pretty good at Scorch Release."
"Indeed. Aiko, love?"
"Yeah?"
"I know how much you want to talk about this but...for now, could you keep these events to yourself?" I ask.
"All you had to do was ask," she says with a bright smile. "Sure, this'll be between us. I can't imagine how many people would be after you if they found out you could let dead people use your body and stuff. Or is it unique to certain people?"
"Yes. Your mother had an exceedingly strong spirit, and a very strong desire on top of that. From what I have researched, I cannot locate or host any amount of existing spirits...only those with at least that level of strength, a sustainably strong presence. You told me long ago that it felt like she was there with you on some days..."
"I did, yeah."
I nod. "That's about what it takes. Senpai's existence was a great mystery, and so it allowed her to ascend to the cosmic plane after she passed on. She who is known as the Inugami Mother Wolf, Fubuki Inugami."
"Wow. Granny Chiyo was more right than I thought, or maybe even she thought...that's pretty amazing. Maybe too amazing for me to understand. Like...it was your body, right? But I felt Mom, and heard her voice, and her hugs were like her hugs even though they were with your arms, and and and...aah!" Aiko rubs at her head. "So amazing, but so confusing!"
I laugh gently. "It's nothing you need to understand deeply right away, my love."
"Probably not..."
"What matters is whether it made you happy..."
"It totally did. Like I said, I'll never forget this. Thank you, Lili...I know now that even if I might die, I'll do just about anything you would ask me to. I owe you that much, and I love you that much."
"Aiko...I love you too. I'm going to keep my promise, to protect you and your dreams. Work as hard as you can, that's all I will ever ask."
"Got it. So...you're okay to walk now?"
"Yes, love. Let's get back to...what did you call it? Makoto wrangling."
"Yep. You know what they say...a woman's work is never done."
"Indeed."
We take one last look at Pakura's grave stone, before leaving the cemetery hand in hand.