The rivalry between the Kusakyu, and Kosutta clan have plagued Amegakure for more than a century, and Mikan believed that she would one day find a solution to bridge the gap between the two clans.
She pulled her little brother in close as the two made their way through Ame Plaza; his wrist twisting uncomfortably in her hand.
The rain poured down on them finding its way through Mikan's long jet-black hair, and to her neck, and down her back. The smell of fresh rain filled her nostrils, and its drops painted a glossy reflection on her black boots. She briefly looked back at Noboru, and saw him soaked head to toe, but he didn't seem to mind all that much, he was too busy hypnotized by everything around him; not least of all the rain, and how the water glossed over Ame's towering metallic buildings.
Despite the rain various denizens went about their day clad in raincoats, ginormous umbrellas with the Rain villages sigil etched into its fabric. Many recognized Mikan, and Noboru, and would have gladly offered up their umbrellas if Mikan had paid them any mind; instead, the two blazed past them leaving them with nothing but a courteous smile.
Mikan led Noboru past an old toy shop, and into the towering marketplace known as the Kage Gullet. It was a large multi story stone building where hundreds of merchants from all over the Land of Water sold their goods, and where the rarity of the items sold determined which floor a merchant sold on. Sejin had taken Mikan through the Gullet several times as a child to teach her how to haggle, though this was Noboru's first time seeing this part of the village.
For a moment Mikan imagined slowing down and showing her younger brother around the marketplace; the thought of it made her smile. She could show him how to haggle properly, what kind of fruits were ripe, and which would soon rot. Maybe she'd let him wander around for a bit and explore; though she'd keep an eye on him from a distance. She would buy him ice cream again; he'd probably forgotten how it tasted by now. The thought soured Mikan's smile, and the two ran through the first floor of the marketplace.
The crowd was large for a Monday; Mikan thought it was probably due to the upcoming Mock Exams. A competition held in the Land of Water once a year to groom the nations next genin. Although Noboru was forbidden to take part in the competition Mikan could not help but wonder how well he would do.
The two darted into a small shop full of various clothes and commodities. Mikan figured anyone following them would not have been able to keep up with them through the crowds. Mikan crouched behind a small curtain of clothing, and reeled her brother in. He had an innocent, but curious look on his face. Mikan almost considered explaining everything to him right then, and there; but doing so would be an insult to Noboru's intelligence. So instead, she grinned before bringing both hands to her chest and forming three hand signs.
"Wind Style: Air Current Dance," she whispered, and just like that they both disappeared.
Emerging undetected, the two made their way through the stormy city. They traveled up, and down the dark, dirty alleys until they reached a metal wall situated deep in the heart of Ame. There was no one around, and Mikan was sure they were not followed. Mikan's grip on Noboru lightened a bit as they approached the wall.
"Minori," Mikan called out.
The wall seemed to ripple in front of Mikan's eyes before fading out of existence. Behind it was another wall, this time with a door, and beside it was a boy a year younger than Mikan. It was Minori, a Kosutta chunin clothed in a thick black vest. The boy had dark hair that draped down to the back of his neck just below the shoulders. He wore a thinly veiled dark green scarf,with a Hidden Rain headband etched into its fabric, and situated in his right hand was an umbrella.
Mikan was quite fond of Minori. He was one of the only members of the Kosutta clan that openly despised Sejin while being devout to Mikan. He would die for her, and Mikan both respected and feared that conviction. He was someone she had grown irregularly close to over the last few years. Mikan undid the invisibility jutsu.
"Took your time huh?" He asked with a smile. The boy walked toward the pair and raised the umbrella over their heads then motioned them closer toward the door.
"No," Mikan replied quickly. Under normal circumstances she might have commended his service, but today was exceptionally chaotic.
"Well, they're inside," they spoke briskly as rain pelted the ground behind them.
"What did you tell Sejin?"
"He didn't ask."
"That's not good," Mikan said with an exasperated sigh. She pulled Noboru toward the door then added,"knock twice if anything happens."
"Yes ma'am," Minori replied as Mikan, and Noboru made their way through the door.
Mikan caught a glimpse of Minori resetting the substitution jutsu as she closed the door behind her. Quickly eying the room Mikan took in the humidity, a stark contrast to the wet cold of the outside. The clothing stuck to her skin became more apparent to her.
The room they were in was void of furniture with the exception of a few pillows on the ground for seating. Despite that, the room looked well dusted, and brought to life by several candles burning on the floor.
Appearing from a room in the back was an older man that Mikan had not seen for some time. He wore an old robe clad in purple and gold. His hair was bleach white, and he kept his hands tucked within his sleeves. Before Mikan could speak the man began to tremble nervously.
"I am deeply sorry for arriving on such an incredibly short notice. It must've been exceedingly difficult for you to arrange this meeting."
"It was," Mikan said calmly. There was a pause, and Mikan looked around, "where's-"
"Ah, yes," The man said, raising a finger. He stole a quick glance at Noboru before calling, "Chocho!" He yelled.
Mikan instinctively tightened her grip on Noboru's hand again.
'I should've told him sooner.' She thought.
Mikan cleared her head and focused on the task at hand.
A girl Noboru's age dressed in a white, and gold kimono with beautiful golden earrings fashioned in the shape of raindrops stepped into the room. Her eyes were clear gold, and her hair a deep violet. She approached Mikan, and Noboru, and bowed.
"Noboru," the man said, addressing him for the first time. "Allow me to introduce your future wife, Chocho Kusakyu."
Noboru immediately looked up at Mikan without saying a word.
"I... Sorry. I never got around to telling you."
Noboru looked back at the girl, and without thinking he gave her a proper bow, "I'm Noboru Kosutta, and It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Come Mikan," the man said, gesturing toward the back room, "let's allow them some time to get to know each other; we have much to talk about."
Mikan let go of her little brothers' hand, without taking another look at Chocho she followed the man into the back room. The two found themselves sitting across one another with a small wooden table between them. Mikan could not hear their voices outside the door; she wondered how Noboru was getting along with Chocho. He was not particularly good at communicating with people naturally.
Noboru had been taught how to communicate by Mikan herself, and Sejin, but in a more proper respectful fashion, not in a way that would be appropriate between friends or people his age. Mikan refocused her attention on the man in front of her.
"Kurime," Mikan finally said.
The man's eyes darted around the room unsure of where to start. He finally managed to find the words he was looking for and began.
"Last we spoke I told you we were on our way to Akira Estate to seek sanctuary. Kuda must have sent word to them before we got there cause when we did, they shot arrows at us. That's how Chocho lost her father," the man cleared his throat unmistakably choking back his sorrow, "after that we continued south past the Old Kaguya Embassy, and across the Taka river. After that we settled on a small island north of the Hidden Water Village. Not many shinobi there; none of em' know the way of things all the way here in Ame so they let us stay."
"If it took so long to get there, why the hell are you here now?" Mikan shook her head in sheer disbelief at Kurime's incompetence, "and why is she here with you?" She added coldly.
Mikan had thought Kurime to be a bold man willing to stand up for what he believed in; but she could not help but question his intelligence at times. After all, it was Mikan that told him to stay away from Akira Estate, and to travel south avoiding the Hidden Mist all together. Mikan could not help but wonder how many other useless detours Kurime had taken with his camp.
"Ah, yes," Kurime said, slightly trembling, "as you know I couldn't contact you."
"You were to wait until I initiated contact," Mikan said plainly. "Unless of- "
"An emergency, yes," Kurime budded in, "the Kusakyu over at Akira Estate must've seen the direction we were headed in and told Kuda cause we started seeing soldiers along the coast."
"Scouts," Mikan said with a deep sigh, "and how long after that did you leave?"
"The next day," Kurime replied.
"That still doesn't explain why she's here."
"Well," Kurime said, shrugging anxiously, "It's only right, that they get to see each other, and all before they wed, and... since she lost her father I thought-"
Mikan decided not to warrant stupidity with a response, and Instead she figured she'd turn the possibilities over in her head and do what she did best – come up with a solution.
"Kuda is probably already aware of the situation, but I doubt she's taking it very seriously," she brought her hand to her chin thoughtfully, "you said they were infantrymen – not shinobi," Mikan said, "from what I've gathered some of the strongest Kusakyu soldiers defected alongside you; when she does send an attack force – and she will; she'll likely have a shinobi leading them."
"B-But there's barely 50 of us; we can't defend ourselves against some kind of attack force or a shinobi for that matter," he said dreadfully.
"I know. Which is why I'm going to accompany you back home."
The man breathed a sigh of relief and wiped sweat from his brow. If she left with Kurime it could be several weeks before she arrived back in Ame. To make matters worse, Noboru was scheduled to awaken his Kiidogan tomorrow as well, and she'd miss that. Mikan frowned and took a deep breath.
"I'd also like to talk about the marriage," Kurime said, "does the boy know?
"He does now," Mikan said dispassionately.
"And you're sure he's..."
"He'll cooperate," Mikan finished for him.
Before the man could say more, she stood up, "It's about time I send Noboru back," Mikan stood up, and made her way toward the door.