Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 104
"Stardust Memories"
[The Endless Waltz: Opening]

A lonely place within the forest.

One well nearby, and a modestly sized home surrounded by tall and thick trees. To the side is a large stack of chopped wood. The wolves roam back and forth, some moving nearby to sniff at me before leaving without incident. Smoke comes from the chimney, and the lights are on inside. A thick wire runs from a pole on the roof, back towards what looks like a small cabin near a running stream. Water comes down from a hill nearby, not recently made, but not entirely natural either.

Wood, with a roof made of both wood and stone. Winters are warm, and summers are cool. Not that winter would bother these types anyways.

Two wolves escort me, and I scratch behind their ears while going to the front door. I knock twice and wait.

"On my way, hon. Just let me get decent..."

I hear a bit of shuffling before the lock clicks and the door opens. The pretty face I remembered, featuring pale green eyes, with a body firmed up some by the last few years of work in this forest. Long hair, bleach blonde with red tips. Piercings all along her ears, and sparkling jewels around her neck and wrists, capped with a red mineral band that serves as her wedding ring. Lastly, the expected bump underneath her pink dress, signifying the development of a healthy child.

"If it isn't my favourite bad girl! No wonder the boys out there weren't making any noise," Ittan says with a smile. She looks almost the same as when I saw her last. Living out in the woods with her new husband has only added to her toughness, and she's put her smarts to very good use so that she and her family can live comfortably away from civilization.

After our mission, she quit her work with the Hidden Frost. The destruction of the device set the Frost back considerably in their goals, and Yamato was able to gain enough outside help to force the hidden village into an indefinite truce. The fat loser, Takato Matou, also left his research team in the village before starting a new company of his own. Moyasu Noda, the traitor, was predictably not punished for what happened, at least not to anyone's knowledge. At last check, he was making lateral moves with his plans foiled and some of the more senior members of the project, like Takato, leaving the organization. This caused the Frost's big project to be shelved indefinitely.

"Pleasant morning to you, my love. I was in the area and decided that I would stop by for a visit."

We kiss each other on the cheeks before hugging.

"I'm still a little jealous of how bouncy and fun you got, Kobacchi," she says.

"Are we? Very silly of you, Lady Inugami."

"Heh. Hearing that still makes my heart go all fluttery. All thanks to you, of course. Come on and get into the house shoes, set down your bags and all of that. Full cleaning isn't for another day or two, so the hubby won't be too bothered by a guest. Especially if it's you."

Ittan helps me take off my bag and finds a pair of comfy slippers for me to wear. The construction of the interior is dominated with wood, from floor to ceiling. Only a bit of metal for the sink, surrounded by smooth rock of different kinds to serve as cooking and serving surfaces. Both the oven and stove are wood fired, making for high and consistent temperatures that add to the beauty of Ittan's cooking. Naturally made rugs and handwoven carpets are on the floor to give extra comfort to bare feet. The kitchen has a radio, and there's a television in the living area. Scattered bookshelves, spaces for games and toys, and displays of weapons.

"The house is quieter than usual, I see."

"Oh, me and Mattie got an idea a few months back to do some nature walks with the kids, while we still could and everything. These days are precious for them," she says while making tea in the kitchen. "So he's been out since early this morning, since it's the best time for like, everything out there. I get the itch to get out at night more, since it's the same as my garage time, just about."

"That's good to hear."

"The kids are either yapping away about everything while we're out there, or they're fast asleep. No in between with them, it's the cutest thing."

"And you've been handling this pregnancy well, yes?" I ask as she brings our tea to us. They're set on carved wooden trays with splashes of paint and hand-prints on the outsides. The mugs are messily painted, too.

"No problems whatsoever. We went back to the same guys and gals that we used for the first two, and they said they'll be around for a good while thanks to our help. I told 'em to expect us back in a few months, hehe."

"At this rate, the Inugami Clan will be back to normal in no time. Many generations will appreciate your sacrifice, Ittan."

"I hope they do!"

"And by that, I mean your ability to walk properly in old age."

"Lili! You're so lucky Mattie isn't around to hear all of your filthy talk. You'll scandalize the poor man!" she jokes.

"Then I guess I can have you tell me what mischief you've been up to lately."

"I've been out teasing some cuties downtown, like always. New stuff has been coming into the shops recently, and the boys just love my company. They're like, ordering food on their breaks for me, since I get those cravings and everything." She sighs and sits down next to me, while I sip my tea. "And they get stuff for the girls, too. So. The fancy place across from the old time sushi bar, yeah. They said that they had the new high viscosity motor oil that I was looking for since, like, forever. Soon as we finished talking on the phone, I got my babies dressed and left a note for Mattie. Honey, when I got into town..."

The hours that pass are dedicated to catching up and local gossip, standard fare for our types. We go everything aside from the classified business on both of our parts. Ittan very quickly proved herself to the Inugami as a strong woman, and someone worthy of being the clan head's wife. An endorsement from Fubuki certainly helped. From there, it was an official marriage, searching for scattered members of the clan and looking after the little ones, and then restoring infrastructure like shrines, shelters, and hunting grounds. Of course, it didn't take very long for this healthy young lady to find herself suddenly with child, and so she had to slow down just a little bit for the sake of two souls. As for Yamato, he took to being a husband and father very well. Ittan's energy and independence matched him perfectly, and his skill in raising children carried over to taking care of his own without a hitch. They've both been doing very well for themselves. In the rare times where she hasn't been carrying a baby, Ittan would go on night time trips to a quiet garage on the outskirts of Frost. She and a few friends work on exotic foreign vehicles, shipped over piecemeal in boxes, and build working prototypes for new vehicles and systems that would be native to our continent. As a result, she's well acquainted with all of the mechanical experts and salespeople in this country and parts beyond.

"...and I said to myself, she doesn't know what she's getting into. You know those quiet boys. Once you set them off..."

"That's why we say it's always the quiet ones," I reply.

"Girl! Don't you know it. When I say that he let off! Baby girl did not know what to do with herself! Oh, but he was surgical with it. Just cut her heart out, like that. Didn't even raise his voice much. My heart was skipping beats...felt a bit of heat in my poor old bosom, too, like you would say."

"That young man went and gave you the vapours, did he?"

"It's a fine hunk of man that knows just how to stand up for himself. If he's not hitched somehow, that's a crying shame. We need a few more of him around."

"And you're sure you don't have a gentleman in there?" I say while rubbing her stomach.

"With how things have been going? I wouldn't be surprised if we had ourselves one more girl to round out the gang. We're good either way, nobody's been saying anything."

"You mean where you can hear."

"Heh." She gives me a smug look. "With the kind of pull Mattie has? Ain't a conversation we don't know about in these parts."

"Fair enough. Speaking of him, it seems he's just about back with the girls."

Ittan sniffs at the air a few times. "Yeah, that's about right. Your nose is wicked good, I almost forgot about that. Must drive the Inuzuka crazy."

"One, at least. The others adore me."

Ittan gets up and takes our trays. "Still chasing after Miss Hana?"

"Mm. I haven't had the chance to sink my teeth into her properly yet. But my time will come soon enough."

"Awful as ever! Well, you didn't hear anything from me, but...good luck~."

"Thank you kindly." I stand up and get into my house shoes as the door opens.

"I see our favourite troublemaker had some free time on her hands," a voice calls out.

"I'm technically on a business trip, but nobody has to know that."

"Of course they don't. And they won't be hearing anything from me." Yamato Inugami closes the door and sets the basket in his hand down gently. His wife skips over to greet him with a kiss. He's the same as ever, aside from the light beard that Ittan likes, and a habit of wearing shirts more often, like today. He has the same mineral band around his wrist as Ittan does, along with a small necklace that has a ring on the end. It was one of the few that Fubuki favoured. And with him are the two lovelies that I've been waiting to meet again.

"Auntie."

"Hello again, my darling. Might we have a hug?"

She nods and runs to meet me. The eldest daughter, who almost had Fubuki's name until she advised against it in a dream her siblings had. A fresher start was needed, something that would not weigh the little one down with burdens of the past. Eventually, a compromise was reached...and the first born was named Fuyukaze, who we call Fuyu. She has the same grey eyes and long brown hair as her aunt, and might very well be called her reincarnation by someone who didn't know better.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay, Auntie. Papa took me and Yuki to walk and see all my brothers and sisters...outside," she says softly. "And...we ate some of the tasty meat...then we came home. And I smelled Auntie with Mama...um."

"You can ask whatever you like, my love."

"I want...to hear more stories about Auntie Fubuki. And Yuki does too..."

"Of course you can hear more stories. I love sharing them with you and your little sister. But first, you should wash up and get to eat the delicious food that your Mama and Papa will make you."

"Okay...thank you, Auntie..."

"You're very welcome, love. Give us another hug before you go off." She hugs me tightly. "You are the best. Be sure to get nice and clean for us."

She smiles and nods before scampering off.

"Like you never left, eh," Yamato says. I hug him and kiss him on the cheeks.

"Just about. Terribly adorable, since the day we first met. And have we been keeping out of trouble?"

"For the most part. Have to teach a couple of idiot shinobi and game hunters a lesson every so often, but nothing too stressful aside from that. Some paperwork, but between me and the wife, that gets cleared up pretty quickly. I'm hoping we'll be able to juggle three scamps as easily as we do two."

"You look like you could handle ten at once."

"Praying for it. But by then, Fuyu and Yuki will be able to run the house by themselves. If their mother lets them, of course."

"Fat chance of that. You think I would let my babies work? Maybe a little once they turn thirty," Ittan says.

"They've gotta learn life skills for when they move out."

"Move out? What's wrong with you? We're getting a billion new additions to the house before we have them move out anywhere. You've seen home prices these days, and we've got every right to make demands that anyone who marries the clan head's kids has to live here."

"No way will these kids out there go for it."

"That's your job as the elder, but not too elder, statesman to convince them of the merits of co-habitation."

"Good thing I have about fifteen more years to mull that over," he says. "Well, time to get ourselves set up for chow."

"Scamp number two is awake again," Ittan says. The basket on the floor shakes slightly.

"I'll look after her. You two can fool around in the kitchen for a bit," I say as I pick the basket up.

"Yes, ma'am. Hubby, it's time for some light sexual harassment."

"My favourite," he says.

"You can stop looking sexy any time you want, you know."

"Like that would stop you."

"Okay, maybe you have a point, or whatever...but listen, you can't blame me all that much..."

"Ah, but you are mistaken, milady. I certainly can do that."

They continue their banter as I sit on the couch and pull a small, squirming bundle out of the basket. Yukikaze, the youngest child. Still an infant, and with more of her mother's features. Her hair is brown like her sister's, but her eyes are a dull green in contrast. She loves her naps, and her mother's milk. Meat is a close third.

"Hello, Yuki. It's your Auntie Lili. Happy to see me?"

She giggles and reaches for my hair. I let her play with a few locks, as is custom by now.

"You've been growing into a big girl. Good for you. Ah, be more gentle with those. Each strand could command a king's ransom, you know."

She tries to nibble on it anyways, and I sigh.

"Always causing trouble. You're too much like your Mama."

"Biting down on things she shouldn't at the worst times. Yep, that sounds like my wife," Yamato says.

"Oi. Don't act like you hate it, mister."

"Listen, if you want to go a year without carrying a baby in you, you'll learn to leave me alone."

"I don't need a break, stupid. I'll make sure you put triplets in me next."

"Now you're out of control. Don't show off because your girlfriend is here."

"I am not showing off. You're such a nerd, Mattie."

"Aren't they perfect?" I say to Yuki. Her doe eyes stare up at me while she continues snacking on my hair. "You'll definitely be getting more siblings to play with soon."

"Ab...bfff."

"I know, I'm looking forward to it too."

Fuyu comes to me with a napkin and a hairbrush.

"Thank you, my love. Very thoughtful, and I greatly appreciate it." She nods and takes Yuki from my arms, who whimpers a bit before settling down once she recognizes her sister. I get the wetness out of my hair and do some light brushing. "Did you want me to look after your hair before we ate, Fuyu?"

"Thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome. Sit there with Yuki, and I'll take care of you." She turns her back to me, and I go through her hair, removing any tangles I find gently. Soon enough, it's time to eat. We gather at the table and Fuyu helps set it along with her parents. Yuki is set into her high chair next to her father today, and is eagerly anticipating her food. Today's meal is bison steak cooked medium, with baked potatoes and a veggie packed salad. Yuki of course gets her meal items pureed. The young ones are healthy eaters, though they're no match for me and their parents as we finish off our second plates. Yamato takes care of the plates while Ittan rests, and I head back to the living area with the girls for story time.

"Today's story is about Fubuki's journey on the sea, and her encounter with a giant fish."

"Auntie Fubuki met...the giant fish," Fuyu says.

"That's right. It's a story from long ago, while she was still training to become the greatest sword-mistress in the land."

A while back, Yamato told me of the many adventures he had with his younger sister. In my time with Fubuki, entering the world of dreams and cosmic space, she told me even more of them. I made new stories out of those memories, with ideas and flourishes of my own. My favourite is a very, very dramatized account of when we had our duel, which I've told to Hanabi and some other children a few times before. But I've built an entire library by now, committed to memory. The other Inugami children were certainly entertained the last time I came around.

Eventually, Fuyu's eyes get heavy, with Yuki already fast asleep in her arms.

"...and that is where we will stop the story for now. It's nap time for my special girls. I will tell you the rest after dinner."

"Yes, Auntie..."

"I'll take these ones here," Yamato says while scooping up Fuyu and Yuki all at once with one arm. "And that one is all yours."

Ittan is already asleep herself, having joined us earlier.

"Yes, sir. I think I'll follow everyone's lead and get some sleep myself, if that's alright."

"Not a problem. Pleasant dreams, Auntie."

I grab a blanket and sit next to Ittan before draping it over both of us.

"Mm...you won't get...torque...ya stupid...mmrm..."

"Very silly." I smile and snuggle next to her before closing my eyes.

"So how'd you wind up in this part of the world all of a sudden?"

Yamato, Ittan and I are sitting at the dinner table together. The fireplace is efficiently warming every part of the home as we eat homemade ice cream together. By now, the little ones are asleep after the second part of story time. Our dessert is a little more adult in nature, with some rum mixed into this latest batch of ice cream.

"And don't tell me it was so that you could have another taste of my wife's milk. You're a wild one, Kobayashi."

"It's a close second to Mama's."

"I'll take it~," Ittan says happily. "And you like it too, Mattie. Don't be a dummy."

"Listen, it's different when I'm the one that puts the babies in you."

"Is it, though?"

"I'd hope so. Anyway. Back to what we were on about...I'm guessing you saw the old-timers at the shop before you came here," Yamato says to me.

"I did, indeed. And you're right in that I didn't come to these parts just for a social visit. I needed a place to do some heavy thinking, before I made a monumental decision."

"You talked to our sis?" Ittan asks.

"Yes. I had communion with her in the forest. It was an important talk, but those meetings between us usually are. This last time was regarding the Rinnegan."

"Hoh. The eyes of the Sage, eh. So you met the new incarnation, then?" Yamato asks.

"Fuck me, they're real? There's actually someone with the Rinnegan out there, right now?" Ittan asks, shocked.

"Was," I state.

Her mouth drops open.

"You took out the incarnation of the Sage of Six Paths. That's something," Yamato says. "I mean, it's way more than just something, but something is all I can say about it. Wow. Where'd you find the poor bastard holed up?"

"We did a fair bit of investigating to track them to the Hidden Rain Village. They were the previously untraceable leader of Akatsuki."

"Those guys...I remember them. A few of them came around before...some cultist freak from Hot Water next door, and a giant prick from Waterfall. I mean that he was giant and a prick all at once. Tried to recruit me, and when Fubuki came around, the cult freak started yapping and yapping...long story short, she took the guy's arm off at the shoulder and they left. Took me the whole day to calm her down after that."

"They've been taken care of, some time ago. We unfortunately met after the mission up here...it got pretty personal, to say the least of it," I say.

"Heh. Figured their luck would run out eventually. Smug pricks."

"So this person with the Rinnegan was running the terrorist group we've been hearing about all over?" Ittan asks. "With all the legends about the Sage, seems like a big waste to be doing just that."

"Their ambitions were much greater, being built over time. It's why they were trying to capture the tailed beasts. This person called themselves Pain, for several pretentious reasons, and had the powers of the Rinnegan divided amongst six different bodies. I defeated them, and then found the real Pain."

"Real Pain?" Yamato asks. "Remotely controlling the bodies, then. For what purpose, though?"

"The man I found was an invalid. That was thanks to Hanzo of the Salamander."

"Now that guy was juiced. Pretty impressive to come out of an encounter with him alive. But I'm guessing you offed this Pain guy, too."

"I didn't have to. Instead of fighting me to the end, he conceded, and used the Rinnegan's power to restore life to all of those lost in our battle across the village. And he left his dreams, and the sacred eyes, to me."

Ittan nods with understanding. "Mm. So that's why you came out here. To speak with sis, and...to make one last decision."

"After speaking with her...I decided to do what I imagined myself doing for so many weeks. I found a secluded place, and burned the Rinnegan to ashes. Whatever might have been left of those eyes would be particles scattered beneath the earth of this forest. That was the path I chose. For myself, and for this world."

Yamato and Ittan pause to take everything in.

"You know," he starts, "I honestly get it. Things like this are why Fubuki thinks so highly of you. Having that sort of power in your hands and giving it up...takes a lot of strength. Takes even more vision. You have an idea of what you want to do, and how you'll get there. More than that, I understand the danger of letting the Rinnegan fall into the wrong hands. I'm guessing this Pain guy had the beginnings of a good idea or two, but fumbled it along the way. The Sage of Six Paths is revered by our clan, and many others. But it was more than the power of his eyes that gave him that status."

"I see. So you agree with what I did?" I ask.

"From where I sit, feels like I have to. You made the right decision for who you were and what you experienced. If it was meant to be someone else that chose the next path forward, it would have happened that way. What did Fubuki say about it?"

"She praised me lavishly."

"Then that's what it is. It was a hard decision, but you made it. You asked for guidance and then did what you had to. There's nothing for me to judge, especially when it comes to you. You're among the ones that walk with us beyond the clouds. I know my sister will fill me in later, but...you should know that the Inugami will walk at your side when the promised time comes. You overcame the Sage's power, however much it might have changed. And we respect that sort of strength around here."

"Creating a whole bunch of new miracles. That's just like you, Lili," Ittan says. "It's like Mattie said, we'll stick by you as the Inugami Clan. More than that, we'll do what we can as people who you blessed and brought together all that time ago. I was able to follow my heart, thanks to the courage you showed me. I owe a lot to you. We all do."

"It was her hand that gave life to this clan again, so yeah."

"Hopefully you won't have to do too much, but I'm thankful for your commitment," I say to them. "More than a better world, I want a better future for everyone. I'm going to fight my hardest for it, every day."

"It's not one of those classified things, though? Can you tell us about it?" Yamato asks eagerly.

"Mm, technically it is...but like everything with the Rinnegan, I know that I can trust you two with all of this information."

"I'll refill our bowls and get us some tea," he says. "Not gonna be moving a while."

"Ooh, this is gonna be exciting! Don't leave anything out, even the crunchy bits," Ittan says. "You said the guy had six bodies he was using? Clones or something?"

"Corpses, remotely controlled."

She shudders. "Hella creepy."

"There were reasons for such things, of course." Yamato sets down our refreshed bowls of ice cream and some cups of tea. "This Pain, his real name was Nagato. At least part of his lineage was that of the Uzumaki Clan."

"Same as your bestie in the Leaf, yeah?"

"The same. As you know, the diaspora had started some time ago. There was a lead body that didn't appear directly until later, and that one was..."

I end up staying a few days longer than I planned to. My hosts don't mind it, and I don't mind the delay. There's not much to get done right away. But I have to get back to the Leaf eventually, and if I stick around too much longer, this will turn into a full blown vacation.

"Sad to see you go as always, Kobacchi."

Ittan has made sure that I don't have to do any cooking for the rest of my trip, just about. Plenty of containers and some packets of raw ingredients for the road. I unload some miscellaneous items to make room, which Yamato will make use of or hand out locally.

"And I'm always sad to leave you. You should think about moving closer to me so that we can torment boys together properly. Or buying a second home, at least," I say.

"You get your whole ceremony for queen of shinobi all set up, and I'll have Mattie schedule a few months off so we can party!"

"You sound so sure of yourselves," Yamato says, chuckling.

"We are! Would you be so evil as to crush the dreams of your most favourite, most adorable girls in the whole entire world?" she asks, fluttering her lashes.

"Check back in five years. I might have activated my villain mode by then."

"Meanie~. But we'll definitely be around for you, hon."

"Of course. I know that I can count on you two. Thank you for having me, and for letting me into your lives like this."

"Ah, don't be too modest about it," Yamato says. "Least we could do, and you know that. But you're welcome anyways."

"Good." I kneel down to meet Fuyu, who is holding Yuki in her arms. "And to you, my darlings...I say a pleasant farewell. I'll be back soon with more stories." I kiss Yuki on the forehead. "Be well, little one. Grow big and strong for everyone."

"Auntie Lili?" Fuyu says.

"Yes, my love."

"Thank you for...the stories. And for playing with us. I love you."

"I love you more, darling. Take care, and don't worry about a thing. With everyone's love, you will become a strong and brilliant woman. Just like your Auntie Fubuki. Believe in yourself, always."

"I will, Auntie."

"Good girl." I kiss her on the forehead.

"Go out and give 'em hell, Scarlet Viper." Yamato hugs me and pats my back.

"I'll be extra menacing, just because Lord Inugami asked." I step back and curtsy for him.

"Well said."

"Just like the hubby said, you make sure the world doesn't know what hit it. If you can slap around the Rinnegan, you can do anything," Ittan says. She squeezes me tightly and pecks me on the lips. "We'll see you soon, Lili."

"You will. Be safe, Rei...I'll be praying for you the whole way."

"Thank you."

Everyone stands in the doorway and gives me one final wave. A nearby wolf pack joins me as I start my jog to the northwest, out of the forest and towards my next destination.

Lightning Country is up next. But right now? I feel like I'm ready for anything.