Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom – ep. 57
"Distance"

"I'll get that for us, Lili."

I go back to my reading as Fio picks up the phone from near the bed. Still nothing at work that I need to get back to immediately, so I can take my time coming back to a regular schedule. The ladies at the office will let me know when that is, as they're still going through the information I gathered for them earlier. Some pieces have been left out on my end for extra deniability, since we can't have everyone trying to make moves just yet.

"Um, Lili? The lady downstairs says that someone's come to see you. It's, uh...Sasuke. What should I tell her?"

Sasuke. I suppose he's come around looking for more information than he's been given lately. Stubborn brat, but when isn't he.

"Give me a few minutes to get down there," I say to Fio.

"Alright. Hello? Yeah, she says she's coming down. Yeah..."

I put a bookmark between the pages of my novel, and stand up from the chair to stretch my body out a bit. Since it will probably be a while dealing with him, I should put on some actual clothing. A plain shirt and some running pants will do, along with one of the light jackets I have in the closet. Fio stands up to meet me at the door.

"Probably gonna be a while, eh."

"More than likely with this boy," I say as I make sure I have my essentials on me. "Did you want me to pick up something on the way back?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I wanted to have some of the stew they've been cooking downstairs lately. Last time it was awesome."

"See what you can do about getting us a big batch for ourselves. We do have a microwave in here, after all."

"Yeah, true. I'll make us an order for lunch. See you in a bit?"

"I'll try not to be too long. I was enjoying my reading just now." I strap on my sandals and then give Fio a kiss. "I'm off. Hopefully I'm in a good mood by the time I come back."

"Me too. See ya."

Fio closes the door behind me, and I head down to the hotel lobby. Sasuke is clearly visible in his customized black jacket and pants, arms folded and brooding in his usual manner. Some of the women folk are checking him out, as part of the still inexplicable amount of attention he gets simply for being an Uchiha.

Eventually, I could see what made people so awestruck by Itachi. This one? I don't know if I will ever figure it out.

"I can already tell that what you want to talk about isn't appropriate for this kind of setting," I say to him. "Come, we'll find another space, one that I can easily monitor for us."

"Can't you just find a room here?"

"No. Between the annoyances from certain factions and the further annoyances you bring with you, it's not wise to do such a thing. If you don't want your trip to be a complete waste of time, follow me."

He gives in after a few more seconds of pondering and follows me out of the hotel. We walk next to each other in silence and I eventually bring us to a stop in an open public area, near a closed shop with two mobile food stands further away. There's a man sleeping on the flat bench nearby, and I gently shake him awake. He's a civilian and looks like he has seen better days.

"My apologies, but we need this space to conduct some official business," I say to him gently.

"Hrm, yeah. Alright. You're the, ah...crimson gal that helped save the town a long while ago. That was some good work you did," he says as he starts to get up. "Oof. Don't worry about me, I just needed a spot to rest my creaky bones and all."

"Do you have a place to stay?"

"Yep, yep, yep. Not the most fantastic place, but it does the job. Just had myself a bit too much to drink last night, is all."

"I see. Well, this isn't much...but I hope your fortunes turn around properly," I say as I place a small bundle of ryo into his hand. "Be well, and I appreciate your cooperation."

"Oh, no thanks needed. I'll buy myself something nicer to wear later," he says with a chuckle. "You two take care with your shinobi business. I'll get this back to you one day."

"If you insist," I say with a smile. "Consider it interest free, in that case. Please take care."

He whistles while shuffling off. Sasuke shakes his head.

"Weird drunks and everything. Though it was good of you to check if he was a spy listening in."

"It's possible to do many things at once," I say to him. "Treating people with compassion is something that even I can do, so I make a habit of it."

"And the money?"

"I like giving people an extra bit of encouragement to get by. Nothing complicated."

"Hmph."

I flip some of my hair back over my shoulder, and take a seat on the empty bench, facing Sasuke. "Shall we get to why you wanted to see me? I assume it's important, but I won't be terribly upset if it isn't."

"I want you to let me in on what's been going on lately. Lots of things between Hyuuga and ROOT, and then your sudden trip out of the village."

"Much of that information is on a need to know basis," I say while crossing my legs. "If the old man and your brother haven't fed you anything, then it's nothing you need to know. Very simple, I think."

"Listen. You can't keep leaving me out of the loop like this. I know that Danzo is bad news, so I think you should keep me informed on what he's doing. That way, we can put a stop to whatever he's plotting. That man destroyed the Uchiha Clan and caused Itachi to make a terrible decision for the sake of this village. It's an issue for me too."

"And he did all of that by undermining your Hokage and manipulating your older brother. Two individuals who are far beyond you, in both power and intellect. There is a reason you've been kept out of the loop, so to speak. Attempting to try and stick your nose into this business will not work out at all, and you need to understand that."

"So I'm just supposed to keep fumbling around in the dark?" he asks.

"You don't have to fumble. The choice is there to be still."

"Lilith."

"Focus on the path ahead, and worry about the problems that are directly in front of you. Everyone else will deal with the rest. When you need to be involved, you will be involved. Is that not what you were promised?" I ask.

"Maybe it was. But I also don't like the idea of an outsider dictating what happens with the future of the Uchiha. Not unless they're the Hokage himself."

"That's unfortunate. With that matter closed, I assume you have further inquiry of me?"

He clearly wants to press further, but thinks better of it and lets out a frustrated breath instead.

"Fine. There was something else I wanted to talk to you about anyways. Something important."

"What is it?"

"You and Naruto. I don't know what your entire deal is even now, and I'm not sure I like it."

"I would appreciate it if you explained further."

"There's not much I have to explain to you. I don't want to see him pushed around by anyone in this village, especially those near the top of the hierarchy like you."

A younger version of myself would have put Sasuke in his place by now, but I understand what it is he's trying to do. It is a crude way of doing things, and it is sincere. He worries for his sworn brother.

"Everything I do for him is out of love. As it has been, and as it is now. It will always be so," I say as I look into the distance. "He is precious to me, and I would do anything to protect him from harm. Nothing I do is meant to cause him pain. I don't try to manipulate him for political or social gain, and there is no covert motive to any of my actions. I love Naruto deeply, more than anyone else...save for perhaps the parents that gave him life in the first place."

"I see."

"Do you...I have to wonder. I don't think you could truly understand my feelings for that boy. The world's flimsy labels have no room to fit our relationship. Some would try for friend, others for sister, still others for mother. But it's not like that, and never will be. The love I have for him is deeper than any of that."

"And what about your ambition? You know that he wants to bring the world closer together, and find a way to end conflict, just as his master, Lord Jiraiya wants to do. It might be a foolish enough dream, but it's something that he can see through with his determination," Sasuke says. "What will you do if your dreams aren't the same?"

"I will put him down, without a second or third thought." I turn my head to look at Sasuke. "It's something he knows by now. My desire is for a world that surpasses the limitations of the one we currently live in. We respect each other enough to understand where our paths diverge. I love him enough to be truthful with him. I love him enough to make my choices with conviction, and without regret."

"A world beyond? I don't know what delusions you have, but they're no better than some dream world of perpetual peace."

"So you would ascend towards that summit and challenge me as well, Sasuke Uchiha?"

"This village was built on sacrifices of all kinds, especially that of the Uchiha Clan. Itachi carries the weight of that sacrifice on his shoulders every single day. He's given up more than one person should have. So I won't let that become nothing just because of a bunch of foolish people who don't know better."

"And what is it that I don't understand, according to you?" I ask.

"The true meaning of Hokage is in the name. Those who take up the name lead from within the darkness, and accept it as part of their mission. Just in the same way that Itachi did."

"Itachi made a harsh decision because of the flawed nature of the world itself. That you think it's something to be admired and emulated shows that you lack understanding of his goals."

"And what would you know about my brother?" Sasuke asks, angrily. "What would you know about Uchiha and the struggles of the clan? Just because you have some sort of fondness for him doesn't mean you have any greater understanding than I do. The world can't be held together with dreams and ideals."

"I don't intend to do either. It's as I said," I reply calmly. "I have a vision for this world that I will see through, and if it means going through those who would call themselves my allies or loved ones, I would do so. I don't see it as anything other than a plain thing to understand, now that I've laid it out for you...and I told Jiraiya the very same thing years ago."

"..."

"I personally think it's unfair of you, Sasuke."

"Unfair? What is?" he asks, confused.

"To be so openly distrustful of me," I say with a hand over my heart. "To doubt my feelings for people that I love very much, on top of that. Have you forgotten that it was Naruto's wish that brought you home, and that it was Itachi's wish that gave you the truth, and restored a bond that by all accounts should have been lost to time? You speak those names, Naruto and Itachi, so easily. But your eyes look upon me with such disdain, as if I took something away from you."

He tries to hide the frustrated look on his face. It would be a good time to take advantage, but...the old pains are not as vivid as they used to be. He is growing, trying to find himself in his own ways. Still a boy, at least for now.

And maybe...always beneath me, in many ways. I think I can be content with that, as we live our separate lives.

"I wonder what it is you're trying to say, Lilith. That you own me? That I'm supposed to be crawling on my hands and knees because you brought me back to the village?"

"Some of that would be nice. But I have no expectations of you, nor do I maintain a hold on you. Your interpretation of this is incorrect. All you need to know is that if you get in my way, I will put you down just like everyone else. It might end with you losing your life, it might not. That all depends on how the next few years play out. But when everything is over, you will have the truth that you desire so much. For now, please leave things to the adults."

"What is it that you're after?"

"You probably know by now. A world beyond Hashirama's aimless dream. The dream that forced your brother to make a horrific decision as a child...the dream that gave rise to Madara's madness, and Danzo's current power. A dream that was once beautiful, until it was the only thing occupying the thoughts of those dreamers. So it is."

"Hashirama's aimless dream," he mumbles.

"In the same way that those who live solely in the light are cowards, so too are those who choose to hide in perpetual shadow, leaving the world to suffer while they stumble onto ineffective solutions, one after the other. But that should be something left for later, when you've absorbed more knowledge. Was there anything else? You've made your vows to protect Naruto and the village itself from my inevitable tyranny, appreciated if misguided. Both he and the Leaf will be safe, whether you believe in me or otherwise."

"..."

"I do understand your feelings. He's someone you love very much, and you don't think that you would be able to convince him of my villainy in time before the worst happens." I shrug. "Unfortunate, but I won't apologize for stepping up where you and everyone else wouldn't."

"Is that all you can do? Talk trash because you think you're invincible?" he asks.

"I don't need to be invincible, just better than everyone else. Something that I am approaching as the days go by." I run a hand through my hair and let it fall over my shoulder again. "Perhaps if you think that strength will be the defining factor, you should hurry off to catch up on your training. Just remember what I've told you, Sasuke. Whatever you need to know, you will know. All you have to do is stay out of trouble, and look after Naruto."

He glares at me a bit before shaking his head. "Whatever. I have somewhere to be, so that's all we have to talk about."

"I see. Good morning then, Sasuke."

Sasuke grunts before leaving my sight. I sigh and get up, intending to go back to the hotel.

"There's one more thing, actually," he says from behind me.

"Is that so. And what might you want to ask?" I reply without turning.

"Naruto is different. Not a normal person..."

"Are you referring to the power of the tailed beast inside of him? I know about that already."

"How long?"

"Since we were at the Academy together. He told me himself. I knew about that power, and accepted him. It didn't change my feelings towards him, and never will. Is that enough for you to understand? I know what that power looks like, what it feels like. I know what I have to do in order to stop it, and can do so with my own hands. I accept all of him, as ugly and destructive as it can be...in the same way that he accepted every part of me."

"..."

Sasuke says nothing else before walking away. I look over my shoulder to see him heading down the street, hands in his pockets.

"It really doesn't matter what you think, or how much you distrust me. I was there for him first. You're still just a petulant child, Sasuke. Still an annoyance."

I let out a breath and start on my way back.

"But there is something to knowing that you've changed, and want to do better by yourself and those you love. It doesn't have to be perfect...this is good enough. I wish you well, Sasuke Uchiha. At least, until that final conflict that you so desire."

"I'm surprised you decided to talk with him, Boss."

"It would sound shocking, I suppose. But I have been working on keeping my emotions in check, as much as I reasonably can, at least."

I throw the baseball and it makes a solid sound in Shino's glove. He tosses it back and I get the same clear sound in my glove.

After a good lunch with Fio and finally getting to finish my novel, I decided to go out for a walk and see if Shino was home. Being able to do this with him is more than good enough...I've always valued the calm I feel around him more than any sort of comforting speech or lecture that could be delivered.

"Have you recovered properly from the earlier incident?" he asks.

"I think I should be fine now. It was as Fio said to me...a continuous set of awful effects, piling one on top of the other. I don't think I will have that sort of experience ever again. At worst, anger at seeing the Sharingan used against me once more. Really a wretched pair of eyes in my opinion."

"With exceptions."

"You're right, though it's cheeky of you to mention it."

"Just making sure everything is covered, Boss."

"Mm." I toss the ball back to him, and he catches it before tossing it back. We go for a few dozen rounds in silence, with just the breeze and the distant sound of chimes from Shino's front door between us.

"Do you mind if I ask a question, Boss?" Shino asks after a long while.

"I don't mind. What did you want to know?"

"I wondered, between things like dealing with Sasuke and the rest of the village, if you worry about how much the things you do are understood by others."

"I think it might make a few things easier, but I have no interest in making those kinds of transactions. I can live with being misunderstood in more than a few of my goals, as long as they are met. There is something to cooperation, and having people around you to do necessary things. But I suppose you meant something on a larger scale than that?"

"Possibly a village, or a country," he says.

"Those who come into conflict with us will be removed, and it is a simple decision to make. I don't anticipate anything complicated. Friend, enemy...all transient boundaries when it comes to revolution. If it means violence, then it means violence. That is how the world ends up working nowadays."

"I see."

"There is nothing wrong with feeling emotion once the time comes. But...to love someone means removing the hesitation from your heart, and showing them who you say you are. To turn back at the last moment would not only be dishonest, but unfairly discarding their dreams as well."

"Interesting. Boss, would you say that...the world you seek to create has room for those called villains as well?" Shino asks.

"As a matter of course, my friend."

"Hm. It makes more sense, then. Thank you for answering my question, Boss."

I smile. "Of course. Whenever you have need of me, just ask."

"Understood. We're having some casual football tomorrow, and the other guys would be interested in seeing you again. They really admire your midfield play."

"That sounds fine enough. Low intensity exercise...hm. Actually, I wanted to ask about goings-on since I left the village a few weeks ago." I throw the ball towards Shino again. "I know that I have the usual reports to read, but there's still nothing like hearing it from you, Shino."

"Thanks, Boss." He takes a moment to clear his throat before tossing the ball back to me. "The week directly after your departure had a large amount of movement, but much of it was insubstantial. We did however gain new insight into enemy patterns and reporting schemes."