Chapter 35: The Future Is Coming

Kurotsuchi crawled carefully onto the roof of a building in search of a particular house. It was hard to read the street signs and the numbers of the building. But she was determined.

Youta was the first — and only — person who saw her the way she was. Her scary, proud side along with her tender and even clumsy one that she didn't show to just anyone. And instead of turning away, he embraced all of her. He offered her his shoulder to lean on and his hand for support; then he gifted her his friendship and later, his affectionate love. Kurotsuchi knew she still had that, and it burnt brightly, so much that it hurt. She couldn't help but categorise herself as a devoted masochist.

The window was left cracked open, and there was a candle on a stool right behind the glass. It was something Youta did when she visited him. He had repeated to her many times that he would keep his flame for her no matter how long it took for them to end up together. If she wanted... He didn't demand she come to him. He even talked about her getting married to someone else with painful acceptance. Youta didn't know about her deal with the council, and she had decided it was best if she spared him that information.

Kurotsuchi sneaked in without making a sound. Her eyes had gotten used to the darkness, and it wasn't very hard for her to distinguish Youta's frame on the bed. His breathing was calm and even — he was already asleep.

She kneeled beside his head and gently caressed his face. He gasped.

"It's me," she said.

A sigh of relief left his lungs. He shifted, reaching to cup her face with hands smelling of mint oil. Kurotsuchi leaned into his touch and greedily met him when he laid his lips on hers with melting tenderness.

"I missed you," he admitted when he pulled back to take a breath.

"It's been a while," she confirmed. "I missed you too."

He released her face as if remembering that what he was doing was wrong. She caught his forearms and kept them there. Kept him closer. "We've been through this before. I chose to come to you. Technically, you can't really get rid of me by force."

Youta laughed heartily. "I don't want to get rid of you. But I can't have you either. So I'm satisfied with the pieces of time and presence you can spare with me," he said.

She reached for his face. "You can't waste your life just waiting for something that may never happen," she insisted. "I love the thought; it's very flattering and romantic. But it's not practical at all."

"Why should it have to be practical? My life is not at a loss. I have my work and my family, you know."

Kurotsuchi clicked her tongue. "You are good at your work. If you weren't, the council would have found a way to get you fired. But your family... You have your sister and your nephews. What about a family of your own?" The look he gave her made her cringe. "Don't try to spare me pain, Youta. I've grown. I understand."

He sighed heavily, helping her up. The man made space for her on the bed, and she sat beside him. "You don't understand. I committed to you, and that's final. I realise that I shouldn't, can't, and won't ask you for the same. Your position requires you elsewhere. And I know that your character is too passionate to just ignore other men's interest. I have always known it."

When they separated for good under the pressure of the council, Kurotsuchi truly believed she would never see him again. Maybe only steal a glance at the hospital.

He shrugged. "So if I can't satisfy your basic needs, of course you'll go elsewhere. Not to do so was also my decision, if I remember correctly."

"Out of fear," she added.

"Yes." He squeezed her hand. "I fear to hurt you. I don't want you to go through the same nightmare again."

Kurotsuchi leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his forehead.

"Talk to me," he requested. "I love hearing your voice... And I haven't laughed for some time."

She chuckled. He made her more space to lay next to him, and she did. "Well… Let's see… How about I tell you a story about a drunk group of shinobi that—"

"Most of your stories start with 'a group of drunk shinobi.' I start to think all you do is drink," he teased.

"Actually" — Kurotsuchi nestled beside him, relaxing her head on his chest. His fingers immediately buried in her hair — "that's a very big part of the job…"

He smiled.


Kankuro sat on the bed with a heavy sigh. He hadn't expected such intensity when he offered Kurotsuchi his help. After all, he had an ulterior purpose — he wanted away from Tenten as fast and as far as possible. He failed to ignore the strong tug he felt towards her despite the hatred she radiated. The easiest option for him was to leave. And even if he had the tendency to put himself in difficult situations, he still liked it easy.

After what he pulled on Tenten, she became frigid towards him. However, he noticed some signs of normality in her behaviours with the other members of the group. So it probably worked in the end. She was going to recover, which was the very goal. And he… He was going to be fine. Kankuro would eventually find another woman that ignited his soul.

Or he could be satisfied with his current status as the closest person to the Kazekage and devote himself to work for his village.

He shook his head — he just needed time. He needed that raging storm of feelings to subside so he could be rational again. Rational was good and safe. Then it would become clear to him how to act. The best thing he could do for the moment was to retreat. And maybe pay a final visit?

Kankuro sighed and started to change his clothes with something much more comfortable.

Kankuro found himself at a place he never thought he'd visit without a formal obligation.

"So you lay here, heh?" He stuck his hands in the pockets of his standard puppeteer outfit. It was only fitting to appear at this place in a way he was most... well himself.

"You rest here, surrounded with flowers." He nodded at the many bouquets decorating the ground around the gravestone. "If you were in Suna, those would be herbarized in no time. I bet they last longer here."

Kankuro quieted down. Upon inspecting the name carved into the stone, he couldn't help but shiver. "Anyway, I haven't come for a chit-chat. I came to tell you that I've fulfilled your request. She will be alright sooner or later."

A breath of wind picked on his loose clothes. "Oh… It seems like you are hanging around here, is that right?" A stronger breeze blew into his face, making his hair even more dishevelled. "I'll take this as a yes," he concluded aloud. "Though I don't know what more to tell you. I already called you an ass to your face."

A hard blow to his face showed him very vividly Neji's mood.

Kankuro laughed. "Got it. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

The wind subsided to a faint breath before hitting the man in the chest. He bit his bottom lip before giving a long pause. Hesitant, he whispered, "Are you asking me how's my heart?" The next blow ruffled his hair. "Stop messing with my hair, Hyuuga. Alright… My heart is a bit wounded. But it'll heal. I'll be fine." After another pause, he added under his breath, "Thanks for asking."

Then there was nothing, as if Neji had used all of his remaining energy to move the air.

"I wish you to find peace," Kankuro said quietly. "I won't be coming here again. At least I don't plan on doing it. So… So long, I guess. Though I really hope to never see your ugly face ever again." An attempt of wind, faint as a breath, caressed the exposed skin on his hands and face.

Kankuro turned and slowly walked towards the giant grey iron gates.

When he spoke with Gaara earlier, he gave him a heads up about Shikamaru. He told his little brother that Temari trusted him a lot and that they may see him more often than before. The kazekage might have been clueless usually, but this time he picked up on the hint — he had nodded, looking somehow content. Maybe he was relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with a bigger problem of his sister's choice.

The man turned right and walked down the street that was going to lead him to his inn. He thought of jumping on the roofs but tossed the idea to the side. Couple more houses, then he was going to sneak into his room and try to rest. If sleep would grant him a visit was yet to be found out.

And on top of that, Gaara had informed him that they would stay for a few more days. He had to try to convince his brother that he needed an urgent visit at the spring just outside of Konoha.

Kankuro hummed and jumped on the roof to the right. Anyway, he was going to find a way to be fine. He always did.


Karui was dancing with Chouji for an hour already and couldn't stop smiling.

"You look happy," he noted with a smile of his own.

"That's because I am happy," she replied with a chuckle. "It's pleasant and fun." She squeezed his shoulders, grinning.

He pulled her closer and sniffed her hair. The scent felt divine to him, and he let out a happy sigh. "I was thinking... Do you mind if I visit you next month?" She lifted her amber eyes to his. "In Kumo, I mean."

"Oh… I think I'd love that, actually. Though I would also visit you in Konoha. That candy shop was magnificent!" Karui gushed about the memory of the various kinds of candies she saw there.

"Mmm, I can always bring you whatever you want. But I am," he paused hesitantly, "worried that you may get too much intense attention if you visit me. And in the beginning of our relationship, I feel it may be too much."

Karui considered his words carefully, reading between the lines. "You think your mother will be... too excited about all of this?"

"Karui… I am too excited about all of this. My mother will be a few levels over my excitement. I won't be able to handle it. Maybe when she gets used to the thought..."

"Gotcha. I will trust you on that. You surely know your mother better than I." She chuckled.

He swallowed. "So—"

"I'll send you my schedule when I get back home," she interrupted.

His face lit up. "Perfect. So we have a date?" He smiled.

"We do." She pulled him down a bit. "And I expect you to cook something fancy for me."

"That I can."

"You gotta tell me what kind of pillow you use," she added with a smile, turning tad sly.

"Whatever they have in the inn will suffice," he said right away before even thinking. Karui's laugh made him repeat her words in his mind. When it dawned on him what she had meant, his cheeks reddened. "Oh…"

"You don't think I'll let my boyfriend sleep in an inn, right?" Karui teased.

"I haven't really given it a thought," he admitted.

She laughed again and stole a quick peck on his cheek. "I've already got some plans. Don't worry. Just drag your ass to Kumo."

Chouji's hands slid over her back, hugging her more tightly. "I can't wait," he whispered with a smile that reflected his affection as no words could.


Temari was smiling sweetly, slightly tipsy, and a bit tired. She had slumped down on a chair next to her brother Gaara. Her head fell on his shoulder, and he didn't seem to be surprised or have anything against her trusting and sleepy self. If there was a place with a human being Temari could be fully relaxed, that would be right beside her youngest brother. He even wound a hand around her shoulders, allowing her to take a more comfortable position. The talking soon turned into background noise for her until a familiar voice caused shivers down her spine.

"She's falling asleep."

Gaara glances at her placid face. "Yeah, she sometimes does that. When she's in this state, she's useless."

"Seems like it's best to just send her to bed?"

"That sounds like the best option." He watched her for a few moments with an unreadable expression. "I would do that myself, but I'll have to stay a bit more." Gaara looked at Shikamaru's face. "Could you…?"

"Oh, of course. It's not a problem at all." The man chuckled. "I can take care of her. It's a habit to see her off to her place while in Konoha, anyway."

"Yes, you've been working together for years. Please take her to the inn." Gaara slowly shook Temari until her eyes fluttered half-open. "Tem, you need to go to sleep. Come on."

She moaned in protest but still took Shikamaru's hand. "Out of curiosity," he asked, "at what time do you leave for Suna tomorrow?"

Gaara reached for his glass of water. "We don't. I decided that we would stay for two more days."

Temari suddenly straightened up, her eyes wide open. "We stay?"

"Yes. You can switch off your alarm. It's alright if you sleep in tomorrow." Gaara gave her a small smile. "I can see all of you are a bit worn out. So I thought of giving you two days to recover before we head back home."

A wide grin curled her lips as she threw her arms around her brother's neck and squeezed him. "Have I told you recently that you are my favourite brother?" she asked, laughing.

He frowned. "No, you have never done that."

Temari tapped his chest with her knuckles playfully. "Because actually I love you both equally," she claimed. But when she turned to the exit and took a step, she peered over her shoulder with a sly smile. "Most of the time."

Then, while still laughing, she headed towards the street. Shikamaru trailed off close behind her. Gaara didn't question her going to bed, even though she looked very awake.

When Shikamaru was almost at the door, Chouji called him while pacing quickly his way.

"Are you leaving?" Chouji asked.

"Yes."

"Alone?"

"No…" Shikamaru frowned. "Why? What are you getting at?"

Chouji took a step and stood very close to his friend. Almost intolerably close. "I need to give you something." He looked very uncomfortable but still slipped a small bag in Shikamaru's hand.

"What's that?"

"I don't know... Your mother asked me to give it to you in case you don't leave the dinner alone tonight," Chouji confided to him. His face was burning.

Shikamaru held in place, hesitant. This time Yoshino had caught him by surprise, but there wasn't so much to do about it. He groped the bag and deduced that there was a key inside. From the feeling of rustling, he knew that to the key there was a paper attached. "Alright. You've completed the task." He patted Chouoji's shoulder. "Thanks, buddy."

"Have a good night."

"Yeah, you too."

Shikamaru hustled in the direction Temari went. She had sat on the nearby bench, turning a lazy smile to him.

"Still sleepy?" Shikamaru asked, leaning forward so his face was at the same level as hers.

"My eyes are closing," she admitted, and she actually closed them, depriving him of the beautiful sight they were.

"Wanna go to your inn?" he tried again.

Temari shook her head and patted the place beside her. "Sit. Let me take a power nap, and then you can see me off to my... room."

He huffed in amusement. "Alright, Princess. Have it your way," he teased, but complied nonetheless.

She leaned on his shoulder, all trusting. The weight of her head was so calming and felt so right that Shikamaru decided that he didn't want to take her to her inn. He wanted to take her to his home and just hold her while she snuggled into his embrace.

Temari sighed quietly and relaxed more.

He stuck a hand into his pocket and fished out the bag from his mother. Careful not to nudge the woman almost asleep on his shoulder, Shikamaru untied it and took the contents out. It really was a key. But it was a specific key, a very special one. He recognised it without a doubt. The little piece of paper had only one sentence on it, written in the neat handwriting of Yoshino Nara: "Good choice, son."

The man chuckled. So his mother picked up on it after all, even though it looked like she didn't pay him or Temari any attention. She was frighteningly perceptive. And the good news was that she approved of her future daughter-in-law. If she hadn't, Yoshino would have never given him that key.


When the music changed, Ayame pushed both Ruka and Chojuro to the dance floor. It was one of the complicated dances that were nice to look at, but not many of the participants could perform. However, Chojuro had done a good job teaching his teammate.

Ruka grabbed Ameno's hand on the way to the centre of the hall. She didn't resist; the opposite — she followed with a smile.

Then the dance started. A couple of pairs formed and took position, holding one hand to the side and one on the other shoulder or high on the back.

This particular dance included periodical changing of the partner at certain times. It was a bit scary for Ruka, but she calmed down when Chojuro smiled at her. She would have some time to remember the steps, so when she changed her partner later, her performance would most certainly be smoother.

Ameno boldly took the hand of the Raikage himself.

"So you've stolen one of my boy's hearts, it seems?" he asked with a sly smile, straightforward as he was.

She wasn't prone to blushing, but her cheeks burnt red at his words. "I... don't know about that." She tried to avoid a direct answer.

"Right, right. It's too early, I understand." Ay chuckled.

She nodded in relief. It was too early to say what would happen. For the moment, she felt hopeful about Amai, but they were too far away from the stage to plan anything more than regular visits.

"Well, what I want to say is that Amai will be allowed to travel to Suna."

Ameno graced the man with a sweet smile over her still flushed face. "Thank you, Raikage-sama."

"I'm very curious about my men," he said low. "And since we enter times of peace, I can only hope for most of them to gain some sense of normalcy. And... What is more normal than having a family if that's what they long for?"

She nodded. The whole situation felt odd — the raikage confiding with her his vision for his soldiers. Technically, the scary man sitting at the head of Kumogakure could have a soft side. But it was also possible this was something in the way of politics, even having some kind of undermining about it. For the time being, both options were working in her favour, so she decided to let it go and not overthink it.

"Let's do this," he challenged and led her into the first steps of the dance. She followed with ease.

Shee was having a little walk to the food table when the music started. He remained at his spot, observing the dancers as he couldn't go back through the dance floor. He didn't want to join either. It would have been risky regarding the little secret he was trying to keep.

He chewed a few blueberries, deliberately avoiding looking in Ruka's direction. There were enough pairs of eyes watching her already, and somehow he felt self-conscious that she would sense his eyes. Just a few hours more — that was all he had to endure. Shee already made sure to cut his stay shorter by volunteering to leave early. With two more Kumo shinobi from the raikage's escort, he was going to ensure a boat for the group. Once home, his heart was going to be in a safe place, and his head would be out of the clouds.

He caught Ay's gaze as he spun nearby. The raikage gestured with his head for Shee to come closer. Shee wasn't one to disobey his superior. So, with a glass of water firmly gripped in hand, he found himself stepping ahead.

"Take my spot," Ay demanded. "I know you can dance."

Shee opened his mouth to refuse but snapped it closed immediately. What exactly could he say? There was no objective argument he could lay out, especially with Ameno in the hearing shot. With no other option left, he just nodded and let Ay take his glass as he stepped in his place. Driven by habit, one of his hands found its way to the woman's upper back while the other one held her fingers to their side. Shee smoothly entered the dance, trying to focus on the steps.

"Evening," Ameno said. "I don't think I've talked to you tonight."

"No, you haven't." Common courtesy hit him, bringing expected words to his mouth. "I have to say that you look very good. Amai looked very... impressed." A hint at a tease sneaked into his tone, reflecting into the redness on her cheeks.

"Well… I'm glad he likes the sight of me," she replied.

Shee nodded and let the smallest smile creep on his lips. He gently pushed Ameno back and held a hand above her head so she could spin. Then she faced him again, and they took their previous position.

"You know, I think I'll miss even you," she admitted with a chuckle.

"Oh, that sounds… Hm," — he started seriously, but a faint smirk broke out on his face — "flattering."

"Don't feel too flattered," she rebuked softly. "I'll miss everyone."

He nodded. "Yes, I know what you mean."

"What about you? Would you miss us? Even just a bit?"

Shee looked into the big, light brown eyes in front of him. He hadn't really thought about this. Maybe he was going to miss some of his teammates. Some more than others. But it was part of the shinobi life he was used to by now. Don't be too sentimental was a personal rule of his last teacher, and he had picked up on it from a young age.

"Honestly? I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe I'll miss having constant company.

"Sometimes," he quickly added.

"You have Amai in the village," she prodded carefully. "You don't have to sever the ties you formed with him, you know. Technically, if both want it, you could keep a friendship."

He remained silent. His relationships weren't something he would like to discuss.

A specific motive in the music announced a change of partners. At the very first moment, Shee felt relief to get rid of the prying woman, but he tensed right after that. He remembered what changing his partner would mean in this case. His stomach twisted into a very tight knot when he let go of Ameno and turned to his right. The shock on the face he saw sucked the air out of his lungs.

Ruka's face twisted in surprise when she saw Shee facing her, ready to dance with her. She didn't see him joining in at all. Despite her surprise, her lips curled into a joyful and a bit shy smile.

He couldn't help but mirror her expression, even if it were only a tug at the edges of his mouth. It was out of his control.

As if in a dream, she allowed him to take her hand and then felt the feather-like touch over her upper back's bare skin. But even if the touch was an almost-there one, an electrical charge ran down her spine, making her heart hammer so hard into her chest that the sound jammed over the music.

Ruka's mind blanked for a moment, and she couldn't start on the steps. Shee gently nudged her left foot with his right. Ruka frowned. She was very disappointed with herself at the momentary lack of memory. Her focus had to be turned solely on the dance, and she did it with a drop of her gaze off his face. Avoiding the intensity rising from the depths of his eyes really helped her regain her composure and catch up in the rhythm.

Once relaxed enough, she dared to glance up again. "Hi," she whispered.

"Hi," he replied. His voice was quiet as a faint echo of her own greeting.

Upon meeting his serious eyes, Ruka felt herself sucked in them. And even though his face didn't show anything, there was something smouldering within his large pupils. She took a deep breath, incapable of averting her already burning face. The heat that he was radiating almost scorched her; the intersection of their bodies became the main focus of her body's senses.

Her shoulders stiffened, and her movement started to lack amplitude.

"You are doing fine," Shee said.

Hearing his voice helped her snap out of her trance. She gave him a grateful smile.

"Do I make you feel uneasy?" he asked, lightly squeezing her hand.

Ruka flinched and shook her head. "No! It's not… you. It's the whole situation. There are a lot of people here, all the kages included. It's our last evening together," she listed the reasons for her anxiety. "The team, I mean," she rushed to add. "And... and the heels... and the dress..."

Her words piqued Shee's curiosity. "What's wrong with the dress?"

A nervous chuckle escaped her. "I don't think I'd ever pick something like that for myself. I don't feel comfortable in it."

Shee hummed. "Too bad." Then he leaned a bit closer, as if he were afraid someone else may hear him. "It looks good on you," he admitted — for him, that was the truth. Ruka didn't have very prominent curves or big breasts, but her feminine side just shone in that red piece of cloth.

She gasped. "Thank you."

He pushed her slightly backward, removing his hand from her back. She stepped and attempted to spin. Then everything blurred... Her heel caught on something slippery, and she lost her balance mid-turn.

Shee reacted immediately — he gripped her shoulder and pulled her to him, wrapping a hand around her torso. Her back hit his chest. Driven by instinct for self-preservation, Ruka grasped the hand, holding her across her stomach and ribs. It was the only stable thing in her fall to the floor.

It was his left hand that had caught her, and her fingers landed on the top of it. Ruka needed exactly three seconds, in which her train of thought developed the speed of light and passed through every event that had happened to her since the beginning of the mission. It had been him! It had been him all along.

Her eyes widened in realisation and panic. He knew… He had heard her talking about his hand at the dinner in Kumo. He knew about her wonderment and had an idea about the importance his touch had to her. That's why he pushed her away on the boat — she was going to figure out about his scar. He had wanted to keep his identity secret. It wasn't that he didn't trust her medical skills… It was that he didn't trust her. But… why? Wasn't she worth his trust at all? She already knew that he was not interested in any relationship with her. He had said it, he had proved it by staying back and raising a wall, and he had kissed a woman... One that wasn't her.

Ruka felt cold chills prickling all over her body. The comprehension of what really was happening hit her hard. She had started to fall for this man, even though she shouldn't have. Having his friendship and trust were the only possible links she could have kept with him. But it was gone. There was nothing there to hold. Dread wrapped around her heart and tightened its grip until it hurt so much that she barely took a breath. She wasn't going to see him anymore. And he was going to forget about her existence the moment he turned away.

Well, she knew what she had to do…

He turned her deftly and held her in a dancing position again. She didn't resist, too shocked to step away from him; too unwilling to interrupt the last time he touched her and allowed being touched by her.

Sensing that something was off, Shee looked down in her eyes. They were glassy and still wide. There were tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks, but she held them in and blinked them away. The sight of her, barely bracing herself, really got to him — his heart ached, the breath was forced out of his lungs. She had figured it out.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Ruka swallowed. While looking at his guarded face, she gathered herself up — there was no point in displaying her feelings. Her feelings were hers. He wasn't obligated to take care of them for her. She was the one responsible, and she was going to deal with them alone. If nothing else, she possessed her unique trait of not being remembered. That, supported by years of training and perfecting her abilities in the field of pretending, she could finally use it for her own benefit and when she was herself. Ruka strung up her body, squared her shoulders, and bored her gaze over his shoulder. He doesn't trust me, she repeated to herself. The hurt and disappointment took yet another breath away.

The music stopped, and Ruka did too, fighting the contradicting desires to both pull away abruptly and linger close to him.

He lowered his face. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

She couldn't say anything; her throat had closed tightly. But she bowed at him, holding her head down as a regular shinobi would to greet or see off a superior. He was not her teammate anymore and an equal he had never been. There was no point to believing in something that was an outright lie.

"Have a safe trip, Shee-sama," Ruka said, quiet as a prayer. Her wish was genuine; she really wanted for him to reach his home safely... And more — she wished for him a safe life trip, wherever it might lead him.

For one last time, she dared to peer into his eyes. What she saw there was too intense for her to handle. So she turned her back — slender and bare — and walked away from him.

He remained in his spot for a moment before turning towards the Kumo group and slowly heading there. His face was carefully kept blank.

The honorific she used stabbed like a knife at Shee's chest, making him wince.

He shouldn't have put it off when he heard her in Kumo. He should have reacted immediately — get her in private right after the dinner and tell her that it had been him and that it all meant nothing. He should have apologised and explained that the moment and the circumstances had prompted him to act illogical, atypical. Frankly, he wasn't even the type to allow misunderstandings to hang around him. What had gotten into him then?

He had had one more chance to sort out this whole mess when she offered to tend to his injured hand. But he had freaked out by the mere idea that she would see his whole hand and figure it out. However, he could have apologised then and let her do her job instead of putting her under the impression he didn't trust her medical abilities... that he didn't trust her. And he knew her enough to realise the lack of trust was what hurt her the most.

And now? Now it was late. She was upset, and he felt like a liar. This was the poor end of an otherwise pleasant and promising acquaintance.