Scarlet Justice - ep. 104
"Devotions"
[Earth Country Collections: Prologue]

"Yes, of course. Nami, you should be a bit more patient if you're going to introduce concepts like this to the largely uneducated masses. Not everyone can appreciate the subtleties of Brutalist architecture."

Today is another simple day in the Leaf. I'm currently at home with Fio, who has come back from a mission a few hours ago and wanted to rest. Her head is in my lap as she sleeps, and I talk with Nami over the phone. It seems like she wanted to add in some fresh elements to the ladies' group, but has been having some trouble thus far. The decision on a name is still a work in progress, but there is no reason to rush such things.

"You said you checked the library and found it lacking, yes? Ane-ue has access to such material...yes, I could inquire about it on your behalf, if you would like. Perfect. How long would you be willing to wait?" A short tone rings out. "Hm. Someone is on the other line. Nami, could you hold a moment? Thank you kindly."

Fio yawns and moves her head slightly. I pat it gently as she settles in, switching to the other line to see who wants my attention now.

"Lili Kobayashi speaking."

"Lili. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," Erika says.

"Not at all, love. I just have Nami on the other line, we were having a discussion about social issues. What might I do for you today?"

"There's a certain mission available that I am quite interested in taking on. I have recruited Ino already, and wanted a reliable third to complete our group."

"You've got Ino on board for this? I see. It sounds quite intriguing, to say the least."

"The mission will require three phases. Reconnaissance, combat, and infiltration. Our objective is to retrieve one set of documents and a valuable item without raising the alarm for nearby forces in the Hidden Rock."

"Interesting. Well, you didn't have to say much to get my attention...but now I'm excited. Count me in, Erika."

"Thank you. Once I have us confirmed, we are set to leave in two days. It will be in the morning, eight hundred hours. I will inform Ino of this as well. Please be sure to rest before then."

"Of course. Was there anything else?"

"Nothing else for now. We will talk again soon. Have a good afternoon, Lili."

"Thank you. The same to you, Erika. Do take care."

"I will."

She hangs up, and I switch back to Nami. "Nami, love. Yes, I'm here. That was Erika just now, she was asking if I wanted to come along on a mission. Her and Ino. A long one, to the Hidden Rock...it shouldn't be too much trouble. As always, I will let you know of anything relevant if it does come up. Now, to what we were speaking of earlier...yes, the study of aesthetic is something that not everyone will grasp right away. Especially when it comes to man-made structures. Everyone has their own opinions, you know. And if we're being honest, for such a flowery set of people like the Hyuuga, appreciation of that sort of raw, concrete style would have been beaten out of them from earlier in their youth. They would be tuned towards the Classical style, for example. You really are a strange one, even by their standards."

The volume of trading has remained steady this season, and so there are missions available to escort merchants and the like. Team Eight has grabbed one such mission and completed it within seven hours a day ago, leaving ample time for me to rest before gearing up again.

Currently it is seven in the morning on mission day. I've finished my shower and have started on breakfast while Fio sleeps. Luna's room is more than fine, but she seems to sleep better by my side. I don't mind it at all. Possibly scandalous if anyone found out, or maybe not. I probably will have to come out to the village at some point, won't I. That day is hopefully far enough away that I can deal with any dissent before it explodes into something truly annoying.

Breakfast is good and solid, with rice, eggs, and assorted meats to serve as proper fuel. I down two glasses of milk and clean up, then focus on making myself look presentable. The usual combination will work for this outing, with my favourite sweater and shorts paired together. Hair should be fine as is, and I run a comb through it a few times to get the look I desire. My armband goes on, I check my tools twice, and zip my sweater up halfway while looking in the mirror. I should be ready.

"Good. We can head off." The time is a quarter to eight, which is just perfect. I grab my small backpack and click the straps in. Fio, heavy enough sleeper that she is at times, hasn't moved since I came in. I smile and lean down to kiss her on the forehead. Fortunately, we did have a chat about what was going on, and I don't mind leaving her like this.

"Mm..."

"Enjoy your dreams, my love. I'll be back soon." I pull the sheets over her and pat her head before leaving. Everything should be secure, and Fio has her own keys so...

"Here we go, then."

I lock up and set across the rooftops on this cool morning. The sun weaves behind the clouds and gives us the occasional ray of light.

"Hey, Lili."

"Good morning, Ino. You're here early."

"Nerves, probably." She has on a light jacket and warmer for her neck, both coloured mauve for today's excursion. Her hands are bandaged as well, which is unusual.

"I see. What happened to your hands?"

"Oh, that. Been working on close range fighting, you know...general taijutsu stuff. Want to be able to defend myself decently in case the worst happens. Choji isn't the fastest and Shikamaru might be occupied. Being a maiden is nice sometimes, but you want to be prepared."

"Good for you."

"Thanks. There are also some other fields I want to get into...medicine for one."

"Hm. You've seen what Sakura is going through, yes?"

"Yeah. She's gotten really good in a short while. I figure I can take a bit longer since, you know, I'm not into the whole borderline torture thing that Lady Tsunade has her on. A couple years will be good enough."

"Have you talked to her yet?"

"Not yet. Was gonna ask later this spring."

"I'll put in a word for you. She should be open to accepting another student, just as long as you're ready."

"Awesome, I appreciate that. I think I'm ready to become a real elite, like I said I would be. Remember, I've got a lot to pay you back for. Whether you want it or not."

"I suppose that's fine."

"A pleasant morning to you, ladies." Erika curtsies for us as she arrives. If I recall correctly, this was the outfit I saw her in when we first met at the Chuunin Exams, the skirt with the many zippers on it and a jagged edge along the hem. Of course, she has arm sleeves and leggings on today, on account of the cooler weather. "It is currently eight o'clock. Are we ready to depart?"

"We should be. Ino?" I ask.

"Ready over here," she says as she secures her satchel.

"We will discuss the mission specifics at our first resting point. Suffice it to say, there is more than one reason why I called for both of you to assist me. I will be taking point. Lili, I would like you to be my second. And as for Ino, we will ensure her safety at all times."

"It's been a long time since I've been treated like a pretty princess," she says with a smile. "Looks like nothing will hurt me on this trip."

"But you will be vigilant, of course."

"Naturally. You tapped me for this job because I'm so sharp, right?"

"Correct. So, are there any objections to this arrangement?"

"None," I say.

"Nothing," Ino replies.

"Very good. Then we will depart. Single line formation at all times, please."

"Yes ma'am," we say in unison.

With that, we make our way out of the village. Past the front gates, through the forest...and towards our destination. A mostly barren land of rock and stone, known better as Earth Country.

We end up in the northwestern section of Fire Country, not too far from the border with Grass Country, along with its rivers and ravines. Bridges like the old and defunct Kannabi Bridge span these gaps and allow people and merchants to cross safely, for the most part. Regular patrols by the Hidden Grass mean that bandits and other unsavoury types don't camp out near the entrances and exits as often as they did decades ago.

Ino does the work of setting traps and scouting the immediate area, while Erika does a perimeter walk and gathers extra wood for our fire. I do the cooking for everyone tonight, settling on some stir-fry with toasted flatbread. Tea is prepared over the flames, and the three of us have ourselves a meal.

"Yeah, so he got all upset with me and I just said, 'well, you could never, bitch' and walked out on him. It was not happening."

"That's it. You don't give them that edge," I say to Ino. "They'll take you for all you're worth."

"Right? And then he threatened to report me to the local business association and blah blah blah, he would not shut up! Ugh! But it's over and done with by now, nothing came out of his whining and we're all fine at the shop. He'll think twice about stepping inside again. Could you imagine? Me! Selling fake product! That's not something to play with, let me tell you."

"Thank you for making dinner, Lili. It was delicious," Erika says.

"You're very welcome."

"Yeah, really tasty. Should be good for my waistline, too," Ino says with a laugh. "Thanks so much, Lili."

"Of course. We'll have ourselves a proper dinner date in the future. I find myself enjoying this cooking thing a lot these days. So, Erika. Did you want to disclose the mission details while we were here?" I ask her.

"Yes, I believe it would be prudent to do so now. If you could do a final area check for me, I would appreciate it before we began."

"Certainly. A moment, then." I close my eyes and focus, reaching out into the atmosphere with my sense as my tongue flicks at the air. Aside from the usual fauna inhabiting the forest, there are no large or unusual chakra signatures in our vicinity. I stretch the range of my technique just to be sure and still nothing comes up. We should be secure. "All done. Nothing to report."

"Good. Then I will explain to you what our primary and secondary objectives are for this mission."

I gather our makeshift plates and utensils to toss into the fire as Erika speaks.

"This primary section is a mission that has come directly from the Hokage, and he gave me the ability to choose personnel at my own discretion. The document mentioned in our conversations is in the form of a scroll, a certain treaty that would give the Hidden Leaf and subsequently Fire Country access to a certain piece of land and the rights to a border crossing through Grass Country. Plans have been implemented to build the first part of said crossing from the Fire Country side, and the completed scheme will in essence create a sort of expressway between the two nations, connecting three countries at once as part of the process."

"I'm guessing that the Hidden Rock doesn't want that," Ino says.

"Certainly not. The abundance of products in Fire Country and coming from the Hidden Leaf would mean that the stranglehold they have on manufacturing and the like would be broken. Traders would be happy, the village however would not be at all. They worry about the obvious things, like national security, and the more subtle things, like foreign influence and diplomatic relations."

"The old man wants to weaken the barriers between the great nations, it seems. Very much like him, using his favoured velvet glove to get ahead," I say.

"Resources such as Sawano Point, which Lili acquired in an earlier mission, will help greatly if negotiations need to be made with the Hidden Rock. Of course, said resources can be diverted instead to secure the cooperation of other minor powers. Miss Kurogane has been working on a package for perusal by the Hidden Waterfall."

"Eh? You think they would be interested in something like that?" Ino asks. "They're pretty reclusive, no?"

"Somewhat so," Erika says, putting her hands into her lap. "But there is strategic merit in securing their cooperation, since they do have a tailed beast in their possession by way of their jinchuuriki. She lives within the village as well, unlike the two jinchurriki of the Hidden Rock who seem to have a nominal loyalty to their home village at best. But a new trade route may very well be a point of interest to them. Various rewards could be offered, so on and so forth. Those options would be detailed at the promised time."

"Makes sense."

"So we have the document that is of great strategic value. I would be correct to assume that if it cannot be obtained, it can be destroyed instead?" I ask.

"Correct."

"And there is an important item we are to take with us as well?"

"Yes. I have a certain scroll for storage, as the item is somewhat fragile and might be compromised with excessive movement. It is stored in a vault, which we would be wise to gain legitimate access to so that egress would be immediate and less stressful in the end."

"So that's where I come in. I get it," Ino says, nodding.

"Yes. Though there are certain things that I want you aware of...things that are not part of the current mission," Erika says as she looks at me. I know what she's talking about...I really should take care of that before too much time passes. Ino deserves to know. "That aside, the item is a rare mineral not found anywhere outside of Earth Country. Our surveillance came up on it purely by chance, and so the Hokage decided that the time to obtain it is now. Analysis of this mineral will yield great benefits, especially if we can replicate its components for further use in our own endeavours. As it is now, the mineral with merely small shavings can be used for a variety of medical applications."

"Do you think there's the possibility of a cache there?" I ask.

"We cannot rule it out."

"Then if there is too much for us to carry out safely, would it be okay to store key items in a space that I control?"

"More than fine. Not only do I trust you greatly, but Lord Hokage has given us a wide latitude to complete these objectives."

I nod. "Excellent. Then we should be well prepared for what may come."

"There's a secondary thing going on, right? You mentioned it earlier, Erika," Ino says.

She nods slowly. "As you might know, foreign elements are embedded in each of the shinobi nations, from each of the five shinobi powers. Minor villages do not have the manpower to do this so often, but villages such as ours have the resources to support agents in deep cover for months if not years. Missions are routinely taken to assist and extract them, usually by members of the ANBU, but occasionally by members of the regular forces. A message was recently decoded by Miss Hyuuga of the Hokage's Office, and she passed it on to me as she believed it was relevant to my interests at the time. There is a person who made a request for assistance, so I sent a coded message back about a week ago. A few days before this mission began, I received a rather cryptic reply and an invitation to their location when possible. So I began looking for times where I could make a detour either before or after a mission in the vicinity. This one came up at a good time."

"So not even you know the true meaning of this message," I say.

"That is correct. But...the wording of it indicated that there was something quite serious going on. Something very heavy, to be sure. The operative is not in any danger himself. Even so, I would like you both to prepare your hearts for what you might see."

"Ominous, isn't it. Well, I believe we will be okay. Your warning will certainly be taken to heart, Erika."

"It's reassuring to hear. Tonight we will rest here, and continue on our way towards the Grass Country's eastern border. Tenchi Bridge is within our trajectory, and it will be an easy crossing to make."

"Fortuitous, indeed. I suppose we will turn in, then. First watch?"

"I will take care of it. Please do not worry about the timing, I will wake Ino and she will wake you last. But we will also take some time to relax before bed. The morning is still a long way away." Erika stands and stretches. "One last sweep of the perimeter before then. I will be back soon."

"Until then, Erika." She nods and starts her walk through the forest. Ino takes a seat right next to me and sighs.

"So. Our girl was being a little cryptic herself just now. Things that aren't part of the mission, eh?"

"Yes. You know that I was gone for a little while, dealing with a multitude of personal things and tragedies that befell me all at once. You were busy and so you were not present for the meeting that I held a few weeks ago. I've told almost everyone directly except for you. I apologize for that, Ino."

"Hey, whatever it was...it must have been super heavy. It's alright," she says as she rubs my back. "You didn't mean anything by it. I'm just glad you're back to your old, sassy self. That's the Lili I love the most, you know. And you're my friend, so...you know, I couldn't stay mad at you for more than a few hours anyway. Maybe less if you got me something nice."

"Nice to hear that bribes are always an option."

"Of course. You love it."

"Ino...I want to show you those memories. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Let's go ahead and do that."

"It's as you said...very heavy things that might hurt you to see. But I don't want to hide anything from someone I adore so much."

The waving flames nearby make her eyes glow, and I watch her nod slowly, raising her hands. I do the same and meet hers, watching as she concentrates and pulls us both into that blue-tinged void again. We float towards each other, these fragments of ourselves, and hold hands silently. But this time, the memories float from me and into her. I can see everything as it was, as it always will be inside of my head, even if I don't realize. The run to the mansion. The relief at seeing Emi safe. The fear I felt for Luna, rushing to the foyer. The confrontation, the pleading, the point where I fell to pieces. Where I gathered myself up again to become a warrior...where I made the decision that would change my life forever. Everything up to this point.

More than words...I've opened myself up in ways that I couldn't comprehend before. The conscious and the unconscious. Ino, my beautiful, wonderful friend...she is seeing more of me than I could properly describe in the real world. I feel nervous, but at the same time relieved that there's no chance I could hold back anything, or hide it from her.

We settle back into reality without a word, her hands wrapped tightly around mine. Her blue eyes look into mine, and I see...more than I expected. Not just sadness or pity, or relief, or the usual things. Admiration. Reassurance. A feeling of...comfort. So many positive things along with the sympathy she has for me. Perhaps it's because she saw all of the memories I had of my loved ones helping and supporting me, and that in turn gave her hope.

"Do you know why I admire you so much, Lili?"

"I might. But you can tell me anyways, just as a reminder."

"It's because you can bounce back from things like this. Pain and suffering...impossible situations that would make most people fall apart. Fighting Gaara and then Orochimaru...facing those demons in your past and present, and protecting your loved ones at any cost. Fighting for the life of someone who hurt you so badly, just because someone else asked it of you. You're so brave, so very strong. I think the world of you."

"Ino..."

"I know that you'll be okay. You have so many people who love you, and who think highly of you like I do. But more than that...you're going to be a force of nature one day soon. I could see those memories, where you were wrapped in light...I couldn't really comprehend them, but I felt every moment, and I just know that you're so far beyond us that it's incredible. I want you to get there, to that point where you can speak and change the world around us forever. Seeing those memories makes me want to do anything to make sure that you succeed. Even my life...if it meant my life, I would do it. And I know you don't want to hear that. But it's how I feel."

"I-"

"You're going to say you don't deserve that much."

"I don't. You know that."

"I don't care what you think you deserve. You're a queen, and I'm going to treat you like one when I can. No matter how salty you might get, Lady Hokage."

"You too, huh."

"Yeah, me too." She gives me one of her silly grins.

"Thank you, Ino. For...accepting all of me. For giving me that comfort. It's very sweet...perhaps too sweet for me. But I accept it all the same."

"I'll always be here for you, no matter what. And...we'll always be connected. When I showed you my heart, you responded by giving everything you had to bring my best friend home. You saved her from a terrible fate. The very least I could do is support you, especially since you've shown me so many secret parts of yourself. The way you thought of your father, how you still think of him...you don't need to be ashamed of that. You've always been a good daughter. And you'll be an amazing big sister in the future."

"Thank you for that."

"It's what you deserve to hear. I'll always love you, Lili."

"And I will always love you, Ino. We'll change the world together, I promise."

"Finally decided to aim for the top, then?" She smiles and leans against my shoulder.

"Not quite. I...will start slowly in a meaningful position."

"Uncle Shikaku talks about you, you know. Maybe you can take over his spot one day."

"Jounin Commander...mm. It's not a terrible idea, I suppose."

"Heh, you see? I'll have you worn down soon enough. Then you'll go and start campaigning for the pointy hat before you can start drinking. What a feat that'd be!"

"Oi. Don't get ahead of yourself, woman."

"Yeah, yeah. Miss Kobayashi, you talk tougher than you actually are with us."

I sigh and put my arm around her. "You talk a lot. But I wouldn't want it any other way."