There is a haze of pollution, dust and ash floating around the atmosphere. The ground beneath her was rocky and uneven, many sharp pieces brushing against her and aggravating her already battered body. Something touches the surface of her face – ashes.
It takes a lot of effort to be able to breathe as if something isn't crushing her, even if it's just psychological. After a long time, when she realizes that she is finally breathing like a normal person and not someone who is having the oxygen taken out of her lungs, she tries to move. The dirt clings to every part of her body, she manages to sit on the floor and look at the ruins she found herself in.
Much like when she first landed in this world, her chakra is full, her whole body is sore and her head particularly feels like it's going to kill her.
"Uh. More like it already killed me." – She giggles nervously as she puts her hand to her head, which despite the dried blood in her hair, doesn't seem to have any damage other than a thin raised scar on her scalp. Kana gropes around until she finds her sword, listening for the orc movement she hears from time to time. The smog of pollution hid her, but she wasn't about to die again anytime soon.
She remembers Námo, the shinigami (?) who had explained her supposed immortality, but seeing It on reality was pretty panic-inducing. Especially when she could see the grotesque piece of brain where she had fallen and the pool of blood she was in.
"What am I now? A lizard?"
Her nervous laughter continued for a few minutes before it subsided enough for her to compartmentalize whatever emotion she was feeling and focus on searching her brothers/cousins/children (?). It was hard to label what she was to them… Oh, well. She went with her older sister then. Kana stands up, staggering a little and backing away from the spot where she landed.
"Now, if I could just know where Riki and Katsuo are… Or why they were fighting… Or why Katsuo was around after I left him with Gandalf. Ugh."
She sighs. Whatever had happened between the time she died, wandered in the halls of Mandos, and come back to life, it was already giving her a headache in the early hours of her third life.
She didn't have time to think about a headache, however, and had to be discreet as she was still in enemy territory. The Tower's fall, despite the damage, wasn't even relevant when compared to the number of enemies. Kana was sure the Tower's fall had optimistically reduced their numbers by 5-7%, mainly because their main concentration was underground, and the foundations must have been less impacted than the rest of the building. The most she'd done was mess up their supplies and weaponry.
That annoys her. She'd been through a lot now because of that mage, and since she'd seen Riki alive before going to Mandos—which was a relief, she wasn't going to deny it—Kana knew the mage was alive too. She couldn't even capture and torture him, if he was still around the old man was probably surrounded by orcs, and no matter how skilled she was, she couldn't fight an army alone.
Kana grunted in annoyance, eyes glowing scarlet, seething with rage at the mere thought of the man who had hurt her family.
" I'm going to make you regret this." Kana thinks, a frown on her delicate face. She might not know how to anger him or reduce his army right now, but she would find out soon enough. Running a hand over her face, she grimaces at the sense that she is unmasked, although it was a stupid thing to be upset under the circumstances.
Kana closes her eyes, focusing on first feeling Riki's or Katsuo's chakra. None of them were in the area and she couldn't find any sign of Saruman either, even after an hour of searching. Seeking a broader view, she heads to the edge of the forest that still had trees – apparently, in the days she was captive, the orc horde had cleared almost half of the vegetation.
Perched in one of the trees, she activates her Sharingan and watches the orcs looting bodies and debris from the tower, gathering supplies and...
"Oh, damn it." – Kana sees a group of women, almost all of them injured, kept tied up and monitored by a couple of orcs. She couldn't ignore it, not like she had when she freed Eiko and Katsuo. At that moment, she had other priorities and releasing them was not an option; now, however, she had the option of helping them, even if it was an inconvenience she would rather avoid.
"There are five... I can create two clones and each one carries two, and I carry the last one..."
Kana does the hand seal and create two shadow clones. Her feet traverse the terrain with ease, and she places a genjutsu on herself so that no enemy is aware of her presence, pulling it out after stealthily killing the two orcs guarding the women. Only two react to her appearance and her clones and she quickly puts her hand to her lips to silence them. One has her head between her knees, and Kana guess she is the youngest, maybe fourteen or fifteen years. The fourth was sitting still like a puppet. Kana concludes that the woman will have no problem following orders, having seen people like that before. Traumatized, but still with a sense of self-preservation. The last woman was in the worst condition passed out on the floor, with even more wounds than all the others – which was something to see since they all looked horribly abused.
The kunoichi and her clones catch all of them, the only one resisting a little, the young girl who almost screamed, but stopped when she realized it wasn't any of the orcs. Kana carefully carried the unconscious woman and soon they were all back in the forest.
"Are any of you seriously injured besides her?" – The Uchiha asks, earning hesitant looks as they deny.
"Right. Listen." – Kana says, as she ripped a piece of her clothing to tie in the fainted woman's cut and staunch the blood. – "I'm heading south, the nearest village. I'll take the unconscious one with me and leave a clone for your protection. When I arrive at the village, I will send someone to accompany you, bringing food and whatever is necessary for you to reach the village safely. Understand? Excellent. I am going now."
In other circumstances, Kana would be a little less abrupt, but she was very much looking forward to seeing Eiko, the only one in her family she had any idea whereabouts. The young woman dissipated one of the clones, leaving only one, ignoring the frightened exclamations of the others. Then, adjusting the woman's body, she prepared to leave.
"Wait!" – The young teen stopped her, expressive blue eyes, watery, and trembling lips. – "Thank you for saving us."
Kana blinked in surprise, a little embarrassed at the sheer gratitude that radiated from all the women.
"Hm…S-sure." She nodded briefly and then left.
"My Father, children can scream." – Gandalf shudders at the little girl's high-pitched and shrill scream, increasingly worried that someone would come to the conclusion that he was a threat to the child. He sees the disapproving looks at the accommodation, particularly from the employees, and many look at him suspiciously.
The girl was terrified of him. When she woke up, and saw him, she started screaming and trying to run from him and Gandalf was barely able to calm her down enough to convince her that he was not Saruman. The journey was slower after that, as she refused to get too close to him, and he didn't want to aggravate her, even if it meant the little one would walk on her own for the remainder of the journey.
They arrived at the lodge, and Eiko was almost asleep on her feet exhausted and Gandalf, without thinking too much, just carried her. It was a mistake.
Eiko screamed. Desperately. And non-stop.
But then the door of the establishment opens and everything is silent, including Eiko, who stopped in the middle of crying and looked at the newcomer with surprise and recognition.
Gandalf's eyes widen, recognizing Kana, relief washing over him. He wasn't sure if he would ever see her again, despite what she had told him. And when he thinks about what could happen... The eldest shudders.
The child ran to the odd hooded figure – Kana was wearing a clean, vibrant yellow scarf that hid her nose and mouth, and completely incongruous with the grim look.
"Kaa-chan! You're a-alive!" – Eiko screams, clinging to the mysterious woman's leg, which left everyone stunned by the state she was in. Dirty, certainly, but more than that, both she and the woman she was carrying were covered in blood. It's Eiko greeting the disheveled figure that snaps everyone out of their daze, a few surprised exclamations and a lot of horrified gasps.
"Somebody call a healer! Fast!" - Gandalf says, recovering from his surprise first, and soon there is a flurry. The innkeeper orders the employees, some preparing towels, one going out to find a healer, others arranging a room for the women to stay and one approaching and taking the unconscious woman from Kana's arms, who as soon as her arms are free , knelt down to Eiko's level and checked her, almost getting knocked over when the child threw herself into a tight hug, sobbing.
"Kaa-chan, l-I was so scared, I s-saw the evil man hurt you, and then- then- he took me and Kaka and then i-it was dark and there were monsters and pain and screams, and then I woke up and there was another old man but now I-I was just ... Kaka-nii! Riki-nii! Where...?"
"Shh. Don't think about anything else now. I am here. You are safe, Eiko." – She whispers and it's almost like an incantation, because the child falls asleep a few seconds later. Kana settles the child in her arms and turns to the innkeeper, who seems to be just waiting for the moment to reassure her.
"Come on, dear, we'll take care of this, why don't you rest now? The healer should be arriving soon, and you and your friend will receive the treatment."
Gandalf watches silently, though his worried gaze lingers long on the blood on her clothes and in her hair.
"There are other women a few hours behind me. They are weak and without protection, if you can, send someone to look for them, take some water and food..."
"Oh, my word! There is more? What happened?" – The man asked, scandalized, and Gandalf realized they were the women they had seen before they escaped.
"Orcs." – She answers and there is a wave of understanding, indignation and pity with the word.
"She returned to save the women." – The istari thought, impressed and simultaneously guilty for not being able to stop the young boy that Kana entrusted him.
"Kana, I know this is not a good time, but I'm afraid I have some bad news for you..."
"I know. I saw him." – She interrupts, a hint of pain in her voice that he can barely identify. Before he can question, however, she speaks again.
"I think we both have to talk. Can we do that in the room that this good lord has prepared, though?"
He nods, not missing the curious and suspicious gaze of the innkeeper, who took his time to leave them alone.
"If you need anything... Or if someone bothers you..." The man said, casting glances at Gandalf, who rolled his eyes, a little offended, but understanding the reason for the distrust.
"He's our grandfather." – The young woman said easily, surprising the innkeeper and Gandalf himself. The man was confused, looking at the child.
"Then why...?"
"Eiko was only crying because she didn't remember him, as she was very small the last time she saw him." – The Uchiha looked at Gandalf, a disapproving tone in her voice. – "That's why I told you to come visit us more often. I swear, grandpa, even I was almost forgetting what your face looked like, before…"
She pauses, letting the sentence hang in the air, a wistful tone. The lie was so fluid that Gandalf doubted for a moment his own impossibility of having children and, consequently, grandchildren.
"You are right. I should have been there for you kids before that happened." – The istari nodded gravely, his tone apologetic, and turned to the innkeeper with his hand on his chest.
"Can I have a moment alone with my granddaughter, please? We have a lot to talk about."
"Oh, yes, yes, I understand. The healer should arrive any moment now, though. Also Guards to ask about what happened."
"Thanks. I will clarify the situation later."
Once they were alone, the mage found himself struggling not to check on her injuries without first consulting her, remembering how frightened with touch she was in the Tower. She placed Eiko on one of the beds, carefully. The fire crackled in the bedroom fireplace, and the young woman watched the flames, relaxed as she warmed in front of the fire. Gandalf wondered how much the shadows that cast on her concealed her wounds. Even if he knew her for a short time, he is deeply grateful that she is alive.
"How are your injuries? By the way, what about your vision? I thought the effects would have worn off by now."
"All the damage done to me has been healed, including the blindness. I'm not hurt." - She dismisses and the istari arches his eyebrow, giving her a skeptical look.
"I would believe it… if you weren't covered in blood, looking like you just came back from the dead."
Kana laughs, a laugh that Gandalf recognizes as unsteady, and the worry deepens.
"That might be a pretty suitable description of the events."
"Did she just say…?"
"Oh, Kana." – He says and, deliberately slowly, opens his arms and hugs her.
The girl blinks fast in surprise, even though he's given her enough time to walk away. But her body was paralyzed the moment he started to open his arms, for all that went through her mind was "Why is he going to do this?" and "I should walk away" and finally, a childish, traitorous voice saying "Why not?"
The childish part of her that from time to time showed its bitterness in strange, useless thoughts. Usually when she saw other families in the clan. The part of her that was touch-starved of genuine affection, no ulterior motives, from an adult. She thought that part of herself had long since died, when she realized she wouldn't be adopted, and that sensei was just a sensei, and that the orphanage matron and staff were only there for them to survive, not for affection.
The childish part of her that, at the moment, was too stunned to even breathe from finally being hugged by someone other than Eiko, Katsuo, or Riki.
Kana is stiff with the gesture, initially, before gradually relaxing a little.
"You… believe me? That I was d-dead?"
"Of course I do."
She rests her head on his torso for maybe four seconds. Her arms move to hug him back, but they never quite do, hovering in midair.
Gandalf has the distinct impression that that brief lean of head was the greatest vulnerability she had allowed herself in a long time. It was also the only action she has before walking away. He doesn't miss the way her hands shake as she gently pushes him away.
She's looking down before clearing her throat and crossing her arms.
"So what happened when you left? I saw Katsuo while I was... dead, but when I woke up he was nowhere to be seen."
"The boy woke up and asked where you were. When I told you you were left behind, he ran to the Tower. I couldn't stop him, he was faster than any creature I've ever seen. I haven't seen him since. I'm sorry, Kana. Even though you entrusted the child to me, I failed."
Kana sighs and shakes her head.
"No, it's not your fault. You couldn't stop him in that state anyway."
The eldest studies her, and while there is little to see of her expression, her intent tells him that she was blaming herself.
"It's not your fault, either." – Gandalf tells her, and she waves a hand, a silent "stop" gesture.
"As for me, I returned to the Tower to rescue someone."
"The women." – Gandalf says and looks sideways at the bed with one of them. The mage heads towards her, sadly observing the young woman's state. There was something familiar about her robes, though.
"My brother, actually. But the structure gave way and I ended up dying when the building collapsed."
Gandalf looks at her in amazement.
"The White Tower has fallen?"
She nodded.
"So Saruman..."
"He is still alive. Saruman possesses some form of technique that allows another to take the place of his death. He told me so himself."
The eldest is not sure how he feels. Relief, anger, betrayal, all still very raw and intense when he thought of his friend. Then he realizes how strange It would be for Saruman to tell her that and looks at her intrigued.
"And the reason he told you this is…?"
"I…may have been an immediate threat to his life at some point."
"Did you try to kill him? Kana, this is a grave matter. Taking a life is not something anyone should have to do. Especially someone so young." – Gandalf looks at her with concern and somewhat disapproving.
" Too late." – She comments with a harshness in her tone that doesn't admit questions. Kana added next, strangely feeling compelled to explain herself. Kana didn't pout. – "Besides, he was a threat to my family and me for over two years before I tried to eliminate him from this world. Anyway, when I woke up I did a little exploration and then I saw the women. I brought this one with me because she was the one in the worst condition."
The mage nodded, and brushed the brown hair away from the woman's face, surprised to see her ears.
"An Elf! So that's why her outfit is so familiar."
"Do you know her?" – Kana asks, noticing the sharp ears just now. The old man shakes his head in the negative.
"But it's too fortuitous for her. I have urgent business in Rivendell and I will leave as soon as possible."
A singular piece of disappointment lodges itself in Kana, who mutters a vague "I see". The eldest studies her hesitantly, not really able to decipher her unreadable expression. Rationally, it would be better not to take her with him; he didn't really know her, and from what little he did know, he could certainly conclude that she was powerful and, perhaps, even dangerous. But something compelled him to remain with the girl. Whether it was because he felt responsible for her, after everything she'd been through because of Saruman, or because of her downright troubling behavior, or simply because she'd just lost a part of her family and her own life... He wanted to keep her close. It felt wrong to just leave her, after they'd gone through captivity together.
"You should come with me." – He says, on an impulse. Kana frowns, confused by the proposal and all her ninja instincts warning her of a possible trap.
"I have my own urgent matters to attend to, Gandalf. Find my brothers, for example."
"Looking for them alone isn't a burden you need to bear. There are many skilled people in tracking at Rivendell, I'm sure none of them would deny help. Also, Eiko really needs a place of peace to recover, the child is terrified and unstable and you would have to divide your time to take care of her and look for your brothers."
The mage exposes his arguments and, although they were all very valid, Kana couldn't leave a defensive and cautious tone when questioning him:
"Why are you offering this?"
"Because you are a young woman who's been through terrible things and who's caring for a traumatized child alone. Because you act and say things that make me think no one has taken care of you in a long time. Because I'm worried, Kana, about you and Eiko."
"Lies. Somehow this has to be a lie."
Kana thinks, her face even paler, all her neutrality being replaced by an open air of surprise, confusion, distrust... and a hint of hope.
"You don't know us."
Gandalf smiled, and she noticed how gentle and expressive his wrinkled face was, his emotions like an open book for one like her.
"And yet I care."
Kana was speechless and disturbed by his honesty, but she was saved from saying anything when the healer entered the room.
"Just… think about it." – He told her, leaving the room after the healer treated what he could of the elf.
The first rays of sunlight passed through the bedroom window, illuminating it with the soft light of dawn. Kana was awake, hair damp from her recent shower, fiddling with the sleeves of the robes the innkeeper's wife had searched for her and the two other occupants of the room. Although her decision to wear a pair of pants and shirt almost caused the poor woman to have a seizure, Kana found herself quite satisfied with the comfortable outfit.
"Kaa-chan? Can I see your face? Just a little?" – Eiko asked shyly, approaching the teenager. The older Uchiha smiles beneath her new mask (which she had made the night before, all the while getting strange looks from the innkeeper's wife who cleaned the elf as best she could at that moment).
"Mn." – She gestures for Eiko to approach her, placing her on her lap and lowering her mask. Kana saw a look of relief and love pass over the youngest's face, who was holding Kana's face between her two tiny hands with tenderness and care.
"That's great. You are here, for real. I was afraid it was all a dream and I was still stuck with the b-bad old man. He took you from me, and then Riki-nii and even Kaka-nii... He took all of you away and I-I was so scared... When... When are we going to meet Riki-nii and Kaka-nii ? I want to see them too..." – Eiko asks.
Kana felt a lump hit her throat, guilt consuming her, placing her chin on the top of Eiko's head and stroking her small back as Eiko sobbed louder and louder.
Oh gosh.
She had failed them all.
"I don't know. But I will find them, Eiko."
"All right. At least... you're real and you're with me now". – Eiko says, crying silently and hugging her tightly.
When someone slams the door and Gandalf's familiar voice resounds, Kana replaces her mask and stands up with Eiko in her arms, decision made.
"We will go with you." – The Uchiha says, once she opens the door and sees the gray-robed mage. He smiles and nods.
"Good thing I've already prepared an extra horse, then."