"Kumo is the land of strength and beauty. When you visit, I'll show you the best weapon stores in the world. If that doesn't get you to stay, the hot springs certainly will."
Kaiho took a deep breath. It was supposed to be idyllic. Yet, here she was, soaked from head to toe, feeling like a helpless kitten caught in a thunderstorm.
It appeared as though the receptionist in front of her thought the same. She flipped past the pages of a green book on her desk, scanning it carefully. "I'm sorry," the young woman said, offering a small smile. "Hoshiyo isn't here, and I can't say more. Do you have a place to stay?"
"Not really. Again," — Kaiho rubbed her temples — "She invited me, that's why I'm here." The pungent odour of medicines invaded her senses, intensifying the steady pounding within her head. Maybe it had been a mistake to travel with minimal breaks, but every step forward had carried the promise of finally reuniting with her mentor. "I get that you're concerned about privacy," she stressed, forcing a neutral tone. "But I've already told you everything I know about her. I've shown you everything I have."
Was it not enough that this woman had seen every scroll Hoshiyo had given her? Kaiho placed her satchel on the counter. "Do you need these analyzed as proof? I just-"
"Shhh," The receptionist gave her a look of pity before glancing furtively around the empty room. "Look, I don't doubt you, but I'm really not allowed to say. You didn't hear it from me, but." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "She's been missing for months. First, her daughter, Yugito, now her. Hoshiyo U-"
"Hey! Is that you, Kaiho?" A deep voice boomed out.
The receptionist slammed her book, delivering another jolt of pain through Kaiho's skull. "Ahh, Ryuujin!" She grinned widely. "We seem to have a newcomer. Do you know her?"
"Hell yeah, I do! Kaiho, the Healer of the Waves. Hoshiyo's told me all about her!"
Shifting her weight from one sore foot to the other, Kaiho tried to take in the man walking towards her. Her mind spun with frantic thoughts.
Robust frame. Hoshiyo - missing.
Dark skin. She has a daughter.
A dazzling smile that could put the pristine hospital walls to shame. They've been gone for months.
A firm grip on her right hand that might've begun a few seconds ago but hadn't slackened in the slightest. Healer of the Waves?
Hoshiyo knew this man well enough to talk about her, and if he was as nice as he looked, he'd be willing to part with information in due time. That had to suffice for now.
"I'll take her from here." The man called Ryuujin pulled on her wrist, leading her toward the main doors. "I simply must give you the tour of our village. There's things to do and see, and mu-"
A loud rumble reverberated throughout the large hospital entrance.
Ryuujin looked down at Kaiho and chuckled. "Looks like the great healer's hungry."
"I could also use a change of clothes," she mumbled, trying to ignore her burning cheeks.
Most times, Suigetsu thought of running as a silly exercise. Although it didn't come close to weight-lifting or swinging a katana, it was fun and kept him agile. But after days of combing through forests all over the Land of Fire, the fun was starting to wear off. The last four Akatsuki hideouts they'd found had been deserted by the members long before team Hebi had found them. They were currently in search of another, going off of a few chirps and whistles.
Why were they still relying on Jugo's stupid birds?
"We need to stop at some point, you hear me?! I need a replacement!" Karin's voice pierced his ears.
"Take it to Sasuke or shut it." Running was also less enjoyable when dealing with her gripes. He was tired of hearing that her only weapon had been destroyed when she could've kept spares. She'd let Kaiho take it, and that's where his sympathy ended.
Hah! He'd been an awesome teacher.
Was there a chance she might've followed them? His gaze flitted from tree to tree, hoping to spot ... something.
It just wasn't possible, Suigetsu reasoned. Kaiho would've never let Jugo handle his rages without her. The silence that fell over the big guy after she'd left spoke volumes. And if she were here, Karin wouldn't have let her live that defeat down, no matter how close a match it was.
He wondered if that's why she was so annoyed. Or maybe it was fatigue? Karin seemed indefatigable at times, but handling Sasuke's treatment must've impacted her reserves. For all the complaints she had about Kaiho being their stand-by medic, she didn't seem happier after her departure.
Anyhow, the woman could sense chakra. The fact she hadn't said anything meant there was no one to look out for.
He and Sasuke were probably the least fazed overall. He was just as surly and single-minded as ever. No doubt Jugo and Karin affecting the team dynamic was the only thing he cared about; his haste to find Itachi must've been spurred by it.
Of course, the problem with being on such a sullen team was that Suigetsu had no one to spar with. Karin's usual threats to knock his teeth out weren't promising. Sasuke hadn't given him the time of day for the past week, claiming that his strength sufficed for their plans ahead. And his best exchange with Jugo so far had been a brief discussion about breakfast.
Come to think of it, Jugo likely preferred collecting herbs over sparring. He scoffed at the mental image, then frowned.
They would've been just fine if Kaiho had never shown up. But she had, and her absence left a palpable void that was a tad too uncomfortable for Suigetsu's liking.
"We're being followed." He faintly heard Karin say. "It's a large party - maybe from Konoha."
But he didn't miss her.
.
.
.
Not one bit.
The soft, airy texture of fresh cotton against her skin was something Kaiho had never experienced. Sitting on a bench near Ryuujin's house, she couldn't help feeling grateful that he'd gone out of his way for her. She hugged her shopping bag, filled with comfortable ninja attire and accessories — dark sleeveless shirts and full-length pants, a utility belt and a pouch to hold her weapons — all paid for in full by him.
"The cloud burst was a stroke of bad luck, so I'm making sure you have nicer memories of your first visit!"
She certainly did. Seeing the beauty in Kumogakure's imposing mountains was easier in dry clothes and on a full stomach. The large grey clouds looked less threatening once she had guaranteed shelter. And the village itself was full of life. Every store here was better equipped than the ones in the Land of Waves. Villagers and ninjas walked alongside each other, cheerfully going about their day-to-day activities. She'd never seen anything quite like it.
"Kaiho?" Ryuujin called, breaking her reverie. "Thanks for waiting. Hoshiyo wanted me to give you this." He gave her a sealed envelope.
"Thanks, Ryuujin." Kaiho stood and looked up at him. "And thanks for everything. You didn't have to-"
"Oh, I did. A friend of Hoshiyo is a friend of mine!" He smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I hope you consider living in Kumo for a while. I'm sure she'd want the same."
Kaiho froze, remembering Sasuke's cold words. Was that the ulterior motive? "I'd love to see her. It would be nice," she considered her words carefully. "If I knew where she was. Do you?"
"That's great! Once she's back, I'll let you know right away." He turned to leave. "For now, enjoy some sightseeing! We have great hot springs, you know. And I'll be around to help!"
"Of course! See you later," Kaiho called, eyes on his retreating figure. It was natural that he wouldn't trust her in a day, but did he have to sidestep the question entirely?
She stared at the envelope in her hand. Unless Ryuujin provided more information, this was the only way forward. She slit it open.
Dear Kaiho,
If you're reading this, I'm probably away on a mission. It's unfair that we couldn't meet after so long. All the things I want to tell you couldn't possibly fit this piece of paper; I have nothing but apologies for that. The only advice I can give you is to read the book 'Blue Veins - The Chakra System'. It'll be available in the public library.
Welcome to Kumo, and I'm proud of you for making it this far. Our ways might confuse you, but everyone here is doing what's best for us, what's best for the village.
A final piece of advice (or perhaps a favour I'd like to ask) - The things that get you to where you are aren't always the things that will get you to where you want to be. Destroy them. I'm glad to have met you and hope you'll be an invaluable asset to Kumo.
Yours ever,
Hoshiyo
Kaiho examined the handwriting, stomach churning as she read the last line. Again, and then again. It didn't sound like the Hoshiyo she'd once known, but she'd memorized every line, curve and dot in her scrolls to know it was a match.
