Chapter 25
The small town of the couple's destination was not exactly a sight to behold, yet it was not exactly dull either. The village of Shion was built near the edge of Fire Country. It was a fairly large town with many businesses and markets, along with various street stalls and buildings clearly used for nightlife.
As soon as the group entered the town, Tsubaki had been quick to inform her fiancé and the others that they had a few more stops before they could finally reach their destination.
It was as if a celebrity was in town. Nearly everyone—man, woman, and child—knew Tsubaki by name, all greeting her like a beloved family member they hadn't seen in years. They had to stop numerous times for the woman to talk, most wondering more about the obvious bulge in her stomach than the company she was with. In the end, what should have been a few minutes of walking turned into two hours.
When they finally reached their destination, it was already early in the evening. The house was cozy and had a rustic feel. There was a yard with a small garden to the side and a well-built stable with a few horses to the back. Currently pulling in one of the horses was a man far into his elder years, whose face lit up the moment he saw them.
What was even more impressive than the fact he'd actually seen them from that distance was the time it took him to cross said distance. If they didn't know any better, they'd have suspected the old man to be a retired Shinobi.
"Oh, Tsubaki! My girl! It has been far too long!" He exclaimed happily, immediately wrapping the woman in a hug.
"It has only been a few months, Father." Tsubaki laughed, returning the hug before pulling back to allow her father to cup her face.
"Ah, you're looking much like your mother by the day." He laughed before his eyes fell to the still-visible bulge, and a look of bafflement replaced the joy. "By the stars! You've bloated, girl!"
A snort left Tenten's mouth before she could hold it, much to Mizuki's amusement.
"Yes, yes, father. I'm pregnant. I'm glad to know your eyes are still working." She couldn't help but joke. In turn, her father grew a tick mark before angrily stomping his foot to the ground.
"And when were you going to tell me, brat? And who are you callin' old?!"
"I've written several times, Father. Did you forget to check your mail again?"
The old man suddenly went from anger, to thoughtful, to embarrassed as if a switch has been switched.
"W-well, it was a busy month. It's hard to keep track of such things at my age."
As if expecting the sudden shift, Tsubaki simply chuckled before turning to motion to the rest of the party. "Father, these are our escorts for the journey. This is Team 4, and these are their Jonin Sensei, Shimura Kagero and Hatake Kakashi. Guys, this is my father, Yushima."
Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment while the rest, sans Mizuki, bowed slightly.
"Oh, it's been some time since I've seen a Shinobi." The man acknowledged before turning to the only one in the group who hadn't been introduced. His face noticably fell into derision as he said, "Who's the chump?"
Despite the clear insult, Mizuki was a good sport and answered, "It's Mizuki, Ototo-san. You've met a few times before, remember?"
Instead of a look of recognition, fury covered his features as he waved a fist in anger. "I have no son, Chump! Get off of my property before I run ya' out!"
"F-Father!" Tsubaki exclaimed in agasp shock, grabbing her father's arm before he could enact righteous fury while the group watched on silently. Before long, the man calmed down. Once again, a switch was flipped, and the old man went from hostile, to confused, to amicable once again as he smiled at his daughter.
"Oh my, it's been far too long, Tsubaki! You need to visit your old man more!"
The Genin of Team 4 all looked to each other in confusion while the Jonin and Chunin looked on apathetically.
Seeking to deflect any oncoming questions, Tsubaki nervously looked to the rest of the group and proclaimed, "H-how about we go inside? It's been a long journey, and I'm sure you all are hungry."
...
Inside the house, the Tsubakis immediately got to work in the kitchen while the others settled. Though the inside wasn't as impressive as the outside, it was clear the old man knew how to live. The furniture was old, but clearly made to last. There were many decorations that could be considered trashy, but somehow, they all managed to come together into a cohesive piece.
Standing and sitting around the living room was the party of seven, Tsubaki currently handing out what they assumed to be tea while her father was out completing 'unfinished business'.
"Please forgive my father. He has been ill for quite some time now." Tsubaki apologized upon joining her friancè on the couch.
"Has he always been like that, Tsubaki-san?" Tenten asked, to which the girl looked down solemnly.
"Unfortunately," Tsubaki confirmed. "He has never been a particularly strong man. Illness takes him easily, but it hasn't been until recently that it has gotten so bad. In the last three years, his mind has become unstable. I try to visit him whenever I can, but my responsibilities don't always allow me the chance."
"Why not bring him back to the village?" Naruto inquired, to which Mizuki replied in her stead.
"We've tried, but he refuses to leave. He says this place was where he grew up and, where he wishes to rest."
"With his issues, he will get the chance if his stubbornness continues." Neji couldn't help but add.
Tsubaki could only sadly nod her head in agreement.
"It is fine. The townsfolk have helped him while he's out and about, and Mizuki and I have been fortunate enough to find people willing to care for him while we're gone."
"But it is not a permanent solution." Kagero pointed out. "If the issue is as serious as you claim, then the Hokage would have no issue assigning a nurse or caretaker to watch him in Konoha while you attend to your duties."
The Genin, Chunin, and even Kakashi had to remind themselves who exactly had spoken. On the outside, her words could be taken as either logical or genuine concern. However, this was a Shimura. The only thing going through her head was likely the potential loss of an asset rather than any actual concern on the matter.
"That may be true, Shimura-san, but I'd rather not stress my father further. This place holds memories—ones my father holds dear. I would rather not take him from the only place he calls home." Tsubaki countered, not needing a Dojutsu to see her reply was not well received.
"I think I'm starting to see the resemblance now." Kakashi commented good-naturedly, eliminating the tension in the air and replacing Tsubaki's tension with a laugh.
"My family is known for our stubbornness. I hear it is our main defining trait." She replied, thankful that they were off the subject.
To help matters along, Mizuki suddenly clapped, getting all eyes to land on him.
"That's enough of that now. This is meant to be a relaxing vacation for you guys! How's about you take a walk around the town while we get situated. We'll have dinner ready when you get back, and let me tell you. If you haven't tried Tsubaki's cooking, then you're in for a surprise."
"I-it's not that special!" Tsubaki insisted, a blush adorning her features as she waved her hands. Her fiancé laughed, taking her hands into his and looking at her longingly.
"Don't be so modest, dear. You could make a fortune if you ever opened a restaurant."
A sigh left the woman as she looked away, the blush on her cheeks growing along with her smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere, dear.~"
While his fiancé swooned, Mizuki locked eyes with Kakashi. With eye contact alone, the man conveyed his intentions. Turning his attention to Team 4, he closed his book and said, "Alright, kids. How's about we take them up on that offer? I hear their takoyaki after hours is an experience you can't get back in Konoha."
The moment he caught their attention, he shot a thumbs up to Mizuki, who gave a grateful one in return.
"O-oh, allow me to show you around." Tsubaki offered readily.
"No, no. We'll manage. The mystery is what makes it more exciting." The scarecrow waved off with an eye-smile, to which Mizuki gave another grateful thumbs up.
It took a bit of coaxing on Mizuki's side, but eventually the group made their way outside. The moment the door closed behind them, Kagero turned her gaze toward her fellow Jonin. "Why are we staying longer than directed?"
"Just wanted to enjoy the scenery. It's not often I'm given the chance." He replied idly before giving his full attention to the Genin. "Alright, you three, the adults have adult things to take care of, so feel free to do what you please in the meantime."
"I did not agree to that," was Kagero's immediate angry response.
"Ma, but I outrank you on this mission, which means I do not need your permission to give your cute little Genin orders." Kakashi responded, making the sneer on the woman's grow by the second. "Ah, and while I'm at it, I'm putting you in charge of guarding our fellow Kouhai's for the time being."
By this point, the kunoichi was literally shaking. Her fists were balled to the point they threatened to break skin, her teeth were gritted, and the fury on her face spoke of a woman on the verge of snapping.
For the Genin, it was glorious.
"The mission, is over." She managed to grit out, yet her slowly burning fuse did nothing to change the scarecrow's tune.
"That may be, but I cannot, in good conscience, leave my Kouhai undefended at their most vulnerable. What would the Hokage think if you abandoned them at their time of need? That you were disobeying a direct order? Are you a traitor, Hime?"
If Kagero wasn't ready to blow a fuse before, she surely was now. Despite her best efforts, her killing intent leaked, coming and going as if a lid to her senses was repeatedly being placed and removed. Meanwhile, the Genin were practically on the edge, waiting to see the inevitable. Her explosion wouldn't make them even in the least, but the backlash would be a sight to see.
Unfortunately for them, today was not the day Shimura Kagero would break. Her glare remained as hard as it had been for the last ten minutes, her breathing remained controlled and even, and her body remained rigid with tension as she looked away from her 'acting superior'.
"H-hai." Was her defeated resignation to her acting authority. "I, will stay, behind." Every word sounded as if it were being squeezed out of her throat.
Then, in an action that would have gotten a lesser man killed, Kakashi gave an eye-smile before reaching out and ruffling the woman's hair. It was an action so unthinkable that it actually left the woman slack-jawed.
"I knew I could count on you." Kakashi said before turning to the Genin. "And remember, Kids: do everything your Sensei wouldn't. Jaane~." With that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The slack-jawed expression never left the Shimura's face even after several seconds of the man's disappearance, while the Genin made themselves scarce only moments later.
Best. Jonin. Ever.
Kakashi wasn't kidding when he said the town has a unique nightlife.
The shops and vendors were welcoming, if not demanding. Their sales pitches were far more aggressive compared to back home, stringing stories along with the sale that would have had them there for hours if Tenten or Neji weren't shameless enough to flat out deny them. The only thing they did not deny was food, and boy did they have a lot of it. The food was newly harvested, meaning it held a special kind of flavor and freshness that the Genin simply couldn't get back at home.
And the takoyaki?
They'd never had better.
Naruto and Tenten had to be literally dragged away from the stall. The round, soft, octopus-filled goodness was soft on their tongues, the octopus practically melting upon mixing with their taste buds. To give the stall its own unique flare, they had a special. Inside each takoyaki was a mystery set of spices, potentially turning each bite from mild to flaming hot.
A fact Sothis found out firsthand.
"IT BUUUUUUUUUURNS!"
Naruto watched idly as the Goddess frantically shuffled in place while panting heavily and fanning her tongue. Turns out, spicy food did not exactly exist in a time salt and pepper were barely used in mass quantity.
"WATER! WATER!"
Naruto held out his canteen towards the Goddess who eagerly snatched it from his grip. She drank it as if her life was at stake, draining the entire canteen until she was sipping air.
"It's not that bad." Naruto pointed out as he popped another ball into his mouth.
"NOT THAT BAD?!" Sothis screeched back. "That was worse than eating actual fire! I nearly died!"
The blonde highly doubted that. Never in the history of ever had anyone died because their food was too spicy. If they had, then all of the spices in the world would be outlawed—a world that had little to no future.
Naruto suddenly felt eyes on the side of his head. Turning, he met the eyes of his teammates. Both were observing his general direction carefully, Neji more so considering his Dojutsu was active.
"I see nothing, yet there is clearly a force holding up the canteen." Neji pondered analytically.
"You think he was telling the truth about that ghost?" Tenten joined, to which Neji denied.
"Unlikely. It's more plausible to believe it is some sort of Genjutsu—one that even my eyes cannot see through."
"And you're sure about that?"
"I'll believe that before I ever believe Uzumaki is haunted by spirits."
"You guys realize I'm still here, right?" Naruto inquired.
"We do, and we no longer care to seek the truth from a liar."
"...You have no one to blame but yourself, Child." The goddess gave her input.
"You are as much to blame for this as I am." The blonde countered.
"Blaming me for your own lack of prudence is like blaming a newborn for mimicking the actions of their parents."
"You raised me though, so by your own logic, I'm a product of your own actions."
"You are no longer a child. In fact, your maturity is years ahead of your piers despite your height."
"...Says the Loli."
Naruto swiftly moved his head to the side to dodge the canteen launched at his head. In hindsight, it probably would have been a better idea to allow the object to hit, seeing that it would have been a lot easier to take the blow than explain to the girl it hit why exactly she was targeted.
"Da FUCK?!" The stranger screeched, looking around to find the culprit for the assault. Eventually, her eyes landed on them. The snarl on her face was murderous, wishing nothing but to inflict pain on whoever had offended her. "Which one of you fuckers threw that?!"
Two sets of eyes turned to the blonde, while the blonde himself turned to the space beside him. Conveniently, Sothis was nowhere to be seen.
Within seconds, Naruto found his shirt in the girl's hand and his body against the takoyaki stand, the rage in the redhead's eyes focused solely on him and him alone. "Ya got a death wish, shithead? Please say yes, 'cause I've been meanin' ta smash some heads in."
Naruto blinked at the girl before his eyes flickered to the side. His teammates stood, watching the scene with looks of disinterest and amusement respectively. Looking back at the pissed-off redhead, he said the only thing that came to mind.
"I didn't do it."
If there were any doubts in his mind about whether or not he would be the one getting his face smashed in, those were put to rest as a fist rocketed towards his face. Of course, he was prepared to dodge, but the need to do so was stopped by a new figure who appeared next to them both in a flash.
In his hand was the arm of the redhead, stopping her fist just inches away from his face. The redhead looked surprised, turning to the new arrival at the same time as the blonde.
In a white kimono similar to the one the redhead wore was the stature of a man a head taller than them both. Two dots were painted above both eyebrows, while the underside of his eyes mirrored the color. White hair ran down the man's back, and a permanent look of indifference was aimed at the redhead.
"Stand down." His voice was low, tone just as calm as his face. To the blonde's surprise, the girl did so, her face sour as she slowly dropped her fist and released his shirt. Once pacified, the man turned his gaze to the Uzumaki and said, "My apologies for my companion's behavior, Shinobi-san. I'm sure you held no ill will in your actions."
"...It's fine." Naruto reassured, his instincts screaming that the man before him was dangerous. "And sorry about your face." He said to the redhead who clicked her tongue in response before walking away towards a group of three he hadn't acknowledged before.
"My thanks for your control, Shinobi-san." The man commented, to which the blonde waved off.
"No need to thank me. It was my fault after all." Naruto reassured, putting more emphasis on the singular than necessary.
"I take it you are not from these parts?"
"Not really. Just here on business."
"I see. Then allow me to welcome you," The man gave a small smile before he held out a hand, "I am Hachi, a caretaker for those less fortunate."
Naruto took the hand into his, shaking it firmly.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, a Genin of Konohagakure no Sato."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Uzumaki-san." The man bowed slightly. "If ever you are in need of my services, feel free to seek me out. Know that my group gives support to many, so be warned that I may not be able to return your kindness right away."
Taken slightly aback by the kind gesture, Naruto simply nodded, "I hope to do so in the future, Hachi-san."
Happy at the reply, the man bowed to both him and his teammates before leaving to join the redhead.
Said redhead who was kind enough to flip him the bird before marching off.
"...Why are all the women you meet so hotheaded?" Tenten couldn't help but comment, but received a blank stare at the question.
"...I disown both of you." Was all he said before he walked of, his team giggling silently behind.
Have you ever heard of the expression 'Silence is Golden'?
That saying is true in every sense of the word. Silence, for one, is beautiful. It is the epitome of peace, tranquility, and solitude.
Now let's add another expression.
'Staring Daggers'.
Two completely different expressions, yet both had the same execution, if not drastically different meanings. Where there is staying silent and allowing peace to reign, staring daggers is a clear sign of silent aggression. It can be a warning, a sign of disapproval, an invitation to a fight, or, in the case of the Genin of Team 4, all of the above.
Standing in front of their sensei, the three Genin held their masks of neutrality in the face of a silently raging volcano. The only reason their Sensei's mood had no effect on them was due to the fact they knew whatever action she took after their plot and events that transpired the other day would 1000% be petty—and the last thing Shimura Kagero was was petty.
It could also be the fact that Hatake stood over her shoulder like a silent watchdog, but they were sure he was a nonfactor.
"...A month ago, I promised you all Jutsu." Kagero spoke after what were likely minutes of silence since she'd asked them to gather. A second later, she reached behind, her hand stopping momentarily to clench before begrudgingly completing the motion. Her hand reemerged with three scrolls, to which she quickly tossed towards the Genin as if it were on fire.
They caught them, all three immediately opening them to look over before returning their attention back to their Sensei.
"Ma, and they say you don't have a heart." Kakashi commented idly.
Kagero was not amused.
"You can choose to learn it now or when we return. It makes no difference to me. Just as long as you have it learned before the-"
"Got it."
At once, every eye landed on the Uzumaki. Even Hatake, who hadn't taken his eye off his book since starting their journey, looked up curiously. In Kagero's case, it wasn't the statement itself that caused her to stop speaking, but the energy he'd let out just before declaring such an impossibility.
"...Prove it." Was all she could say.
She wasn't disappointed. Turning away from the group, he looked to the bushes behind him and raised a hand. In it was a shuriken, and before anyone could question where he pulled it from, a puff of smoke appeared before his palm.
The Genin stared in shock along with Kakashi who looked away from his book to observe in slight interest. Between the rest of his fingers, three more shuriken appeared.
Then with a quick motion of his arm, he let them fly. Everyone's eyes followed the shuriken as they soared towards the bushes before embedding themselves into a tree. Eventually, all eyes turned back to the Uzumaki whose smugness was apparent even behind his mask of neutrality.
"...How." Kagero asked more 'demand' than 'question'.
"It's similar to the Shadow Clone you taught me. I simply used what I learned and applied it here." Naruto replied smugly.
"...Without hand signs?" Hatake joined, to which the blonde blinked.
"Uh, yeah? That a problem?"
"No, it is quite the achievement. Not even the Hokage can boast such a feat." Saying that, his attention went back to his book before adding, "Ah, and you're supposed to throw the Shuriken before performing the Jutsu. Just a thought."
All confidence left the blonde.
"Don't you dare." Sothis stopped him before he could do the inevitable. Even when he ignored her and tried, there was an obvious force blocking his right to fix the embarrassing mistake, which ended up in a childish tug of war with time and space. In the end, a man was nothing to a Goddess, and Naruto was left defeated and pouting.
"No fucking way!"
Everyone turned in the direction of the exclamation.
A redhead, a familiar one at that, stood at the back door balcony, surprise evident on her face. Soon her face morphed from shock to anger at the same time it took one to blink.
"The fuck are you shitheads doin' here?!"
"Friend of yours?" Kakashi questioned the Genin to which the Hyuga and Higurashi immediately turned to their blonde teammate.
"...I've never seen her before in my life."
"Like hell you haven't!" The redhead immediately shouted before stomping up to the blonde to press a finger into his chest. "I still owe you an ass kickin' for that shit you pulled yesterday, shithead!"
Kakashi suddenly perked up, "Oh? And would you kids mind sharing the details with the adults?"
"How about you mind yer damn business, Cyclops!" She shot back accompanied by a middle finger that made the man give an eye-smile in amusement.
"Now that's not very nice. My parents worked hard to give me this eye."
"Not hard enough if ya gotta cover the rest."
"Body shaming, are we? That's not a nice thing to do, especially to people who are more than happy with the way they look. But that's OK. I know firsthand how short a fuse you redheads have—stereotypes and all."
"Wha? Y-you wanna get her ass kicked too, Cyclops?!"
"..."
"You heard me, shithead?!"
"Oh, were you talking to me? Sorry, it's kinda hard to hear you from all the way down there."
"Y-you-!"
"That's enough, you two." The voice of Tsubaki suddenly interrupted, emerging from the house in time to see the girl ready to do something she'd likely regret. Next to her was another familiar face, the white-haired man looking on with clear disapproval. "Ayu-san, please try not to cause trouble with our guest. And Kakashi-san, please do not egg her on."
Ayu scoffed and walked away while Kakashi gave a slight nod before going back to his book. Meanwhile, Hachi moved from next to the Chunin to greet Naruto with a smile. "It would seem our fates cross paths once again, Uzumaki Naruto."
The Genin nodded in acknowledgement, missing the redhead's neck snapping in his direction once more.
"Fate works in mysterious ways." Naruto replied geniently. "You here for the old man?"
"Correct. We have been an integral part of his recovery in Tsubaki-san's absence."
"Must be hard." Naruto commented, remembering the way the old man's mood would flip faster than a channel.
"Indeed. Yet it is a responsibility I readily uphold. Taking care of those who have trouble caring for themselves brings me peace in this forsaken world."
"Kinda much."
"And yet not nearly enough." The man countered Tenten's mutter, much to her surprise, before he turned his attention to the pregnant Chunin. "Shall we continue with the preparations, Tsubaki-san?"
"Ah! Please do. The rest of you can wait at the table if you are done. The food shall be out shortly."
"I will pass." Kagero spoke, to the surprise of absolutely no one. "Unless you're going to force me to eat as well?" She added the spiteful line, directed at the one-eyed Jonin who was all too amused.
"Would you like for me to hold the spoon too? Maybe make cut babbles and praise you for doing a good job? I hear people are into that kinda stuff nowadays."
Instead of rising to the bait, Kagero walked away and into the house without a word. Meanwhile, the Genin all looked at the scarecrow as if he were a deity. A god truly did exist, and he came with righteous vengeance, a face mask, and an orange book.
A/N: I don't think I need to give any hints on who Ayu and Hachi are, do I?
So, I kinda took an unannounced break. Had to go to the ER because I went to El Salvador and ate some bad sushi. Had some critters inside of me and was bleeding internally, so safe to say I couldn't focus. Thankfully, everything is better now and I no longer have the urge to do any bowel movements constantly.
On other news, I wrote a 20,000 word SI a month prior as a wrestler in Fire Emblem Awakening along with another 10k romance between Hinata and Sosuke Aizen from bleach after my recovery... Yeah, probably never gonna post those but it was fun!
Got a lot of nice and juicy reviews last chapter that had many speculations that I will not go into just yet. The next two chapters are basically slice of Life so no action, but right after that we get into the dark stuff again along with an interlude into Seiros and the changes Kurama's presence has made.
LAST THING! I will be adding a prologue to this story that you can all read if you want. It was originally an interlude which was meant to be the last, but I think it works a lot better at the beginning of the story than the center. So if you get a chapter update and you don't find it, know that it is at the beginning of the story.
As always, thank you for the reviews, follows and favs and hope you have a damn good day!
