Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 105
"Flying By"
[The Endless Waltz: Opening 2]
A few more days of camping and gathering strength in the north of Frost Country. I'm followed and guarded by my wolf companions until we reach the edge of the Inugami forest, upon which we bid each other farewell. The rest of the way through is done alone and quietly, and I both endure and enjoy the elements as they arrive. A change in the weather and the complexion of the land soon signals the border is near, and then crossed altogether. I'm greeted by mountains, valleys, flowing rivers and an abundance of clouds. This is Lightning Country, and true to its name there are storm pockets and flashes of lightning dotting the horizon.
The first thing to do after re-familiarizing myself with the country is setting up camp in a safe place. For reasons I've already figured out, that is easier said than done. There are Hidden Cloud shinobi roaming everywhere, quite literally. Pairings and groups in even the smallest villages, frequent patrols through the countryside, surveillance supplemented by mercenary companies...and it goes on like that. I make contact with various agents and informants in the area, and they all give similar reports. So the only thing left to do is keep a low profile. Why? Because despite our happy cooperation with the Hidden Cloud in stopping Akatsuki, I am still a valid military target with a large bounty on my head. The figure is apparently bouncing between 150 and 200 million ryo currently in the underground. I can only imagine how much higher it would be if they found out I defeated the Rinnegan.
The following three or so weeks are spent writing letters, doing investigations, and not getting caught. There are a handful of close calls, in that I was close to removing some unfortunate soul from this plane of existence. Thankfully, aside from a dozen or so worthless degenerates, I haven't had to spill the blood of anyone simply trying to make a living. Anko sends me some updates regarding Konan. She's safely hidden away and has been processed in secret. Jiraiya has been able to talk to her, but there's nothing about the conversations they had. She also was totally not worried about Itachi spending several days in the wilderness with another woman that he used to work with. Being so adamant about it was even more convincing, as one knows.
Now it's approaching three months since I defeated Pain. The next step is to go directly to the Hidden Cloud itself and gather information from various sources. Yesterday I retrieved a dead drop with documents that I could use for a made up diplomatic mission, if necessary. I'm still not planning to be seen in public, but these will buy me a little bit of time to make my escape. Cloud is scrutinizing everything so thoroughly that my deception will be uncovered within the hour. It has been happening to other Leaf agents, and part of my slowness in getting to the village proper has been infiltrating jails, prisons, and safe houses to extract them. This naturally caused enough of an uproar that I have had to camp in the wilderness with one eye open for a while now. Today brings a new and exciting piece of news. I get myself a nice looking to go over plain black robes, and a straw hat to hide my hair. Then it's a matter of being natural as I enter civilization once more.
"You've confirmed that it's him?" I ask my companion.
"Yes. Through our own spies and the Cloud's intelligence wires. They're waiting to see what he might do next before moving in. Or...that's what they're doing now, after he wiped out three different squads who meant to ambush him."
I'm meeting with an embedded agent at a sandwich shop, about two days travel from the Hidden Cloud. Her name here is SC, and she was chosen for both her skill and her combination of fair skin and blue eyes. The carefully dyed and braided blonde hair came later. She has been inside of the Cloud's forces for about ten years now. It's thanks to her that I've been able to close my other eye to sleep at least some of the time recently. She has work primarily in administration and does some instruction, but was mobilized along with many others in her field to conduct these wide reaching patrols in the wake of the Five Kage Summit.
"He's probably heading towards the village itself to gather intelligence...or at least, that's what one would think," I say to her. I take a bite of my turkey sandwich. Quite good. Lightning Country's cuisine is eclectic, and swings between western and eastern styles without pause. If I had moved here instead of Fire Country, it might have been like we never left the old country at all.
The ring on her left hand glimmers in the light as she sips at her tea. "You were thinking something else, ma'am?"
"He has the ability to track down targets using his living blade, Samehada. I believe that it's less about his destination being the Cloud, and more about the area around it."
"So he might be looking for an opening. There...is one thing of note, then."
"What is it?"
"While Bee is regularly confined to the village and nearby area, there are seasons where he is let out under heavy escort. In those times, Yugito is restricted from missions unless there is an emergency. His guardians are primarily, if not entirely, members of the Yotsuki Clan. This is because the area that Bee goes to is on Yotsuki land."
"That was gifted to them by the First Raikage, yes?" I ask.
"Yes, exactly. It's within the Lightning and Cloud Valley, and this is where Killer Bee goes to train, so as not to devastate the village by accident," SC says. "From my reading of administration reports, he has been out there for the past two weeks, and has yet to return."
"And there are a great deal of mountain ranges around this country. Keeping the knowledge of where a jinchuuriki trains secret only makes sense."
"The Yotsuki are known for their intense loyalty. Even torturing one of them would give you nothing. Perhaps a particularly strong genjutsu, but...there are very few in this world that would have the time or inclination to use those powers in order to find Bee."
"It means I have some more work to do. That's alright, I suppose. Were you able to get that other piece of information for me?"
"Yes. Here you are." She hands me a folded paper across the table. I open it up, read it, and then put it into my mouth. Fortunately, today's is rice paper again. A little more difficult to put messages on, but excellent for ease of disposal.
"Thank you kindly. You've been a tremendous help."
"You're welcome, ma'am. Please be safe on your journey."
"You as well. I'll leave payment for everything here, and...take care of the traitor that came in after you earlier. It's the very least I can do, and it won't be far out of my way."
"If you're sure, ma'am."
"I am."
"Then I will head out first." She bows her head before getting up and leaving. I leave my money on the table and get up to walk to the other side of the restaurant. The man dressed in a generic black outfit pretends not to notice me, until I mumble one of our code words beneath my breath.
"A fellow traveller," he says.
"Yes. I noticed you from across the way, and...had some information I thought you should hear. It's quite interesting."
"Regarding the informant you were speaking to just now?"
"Certainly. I'll be taking care of her soon," I say with a smile. "But you and I should have a chat. Unless you're busy?"
He scrutinizes me a bit before nodding. "Tea, then?"
"That would be lovely." I sit across from him.
It's two days later. I made sure the unfortunate fool had his mysterious heart failure well away from the restaurant, after confirming that he was trying to play both sides in the name of profit. As has been said many times before, you can't take those things with you when you go. I confirmed SC's well being again after leaving the area.
At about a half day of travel from Cloud at civilian speed is a cozy-looking valley where modestly paid individuals and families gather. This is the location I asked for, because it's where certain people are said to be living currently. It could be out of date, which means that I would have to start manually searching. Annoying, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. I haven't located Kisame while moving, but I believe that I have an idea of where the fabled Unraikyo is, based on the very large pulse I sensed yesterday. It would be south of here and subsequently south of the Hidden Cloud. Still close enough to hear if anything is happening, since I don't expect the Eight Tails to go down without a sizable fight. This place is named for the atmospheric phenomenon that took place decades ago, when it was first settled. It is called Sprite Valley.
A home initially made of stone and modernized over the years. The wild grass is cut low around the front and sides, leading towards the back. Some wild flowers have been allowed to grow, and the shape of the cuts tell me it was done by hand with a proper scythe. Smoke steadily flows out from the chimney, the aroma of freshly cooked meat and vegetables with their spices and seasonings following along. The backyard is cut off by the strategically shaped stream that winds down the valley itself, providing a steady source of water to supplement the few pieces of technology that people make use of here.
The sound of something repeatedly hitting the grass reaches my ears. It's familiar, a jumping rope. Someone is lightly bouncing up and down, the rope moving at a good pace. They pay me no mind, their gaze locked onto something in the distance. A young girl with soft and feathery ivory hair, and dark skin like her older sister. She's wearing a sweater that I remember seeing Erika in a while ago, and jogging pants over weathered sneakers. The white ears on top of her head move slightly before she turns it to look at me.
"..."
I take a few steps into the clearing, and set down my backpack. She remains silent while moving towards me, still skipping away. Then she nods, and I walk towards her before taking a proper hop into her space. We skip at the same time for a bit before I smoothly take the rope from her, first left, then right. And for a while, we simply bounce together in comfortable silence. She studies me with the same hazel eyes that her sister has.
Eventually she lifts her hands, and I transfer the rope back to her before hopping out. She goes at double speed for thirty more seconds, doing some extra footwork before slowing down and stopping.
"Mom is inside."
She's quiet and calm in her own way, too. I retrieve my things and we go to the front door, where she knocks twice before opening it. We take off our footwear at the entrance and get into slippers for the house before walking further in. The interior is as I guessed, wooden floors, passageways, and walls that have been retouched with paint some time ago. It's a cozy, rustic sort of aesthetic.
"Mom. Rika-nee's friend is here."
I hear a spoon hit the counter in the kitchen. The person who comes out to meet us is wearing a paint-marked shirt and pants rolled to her ankles. Her long white hair is tied up behind her head, and she has normal looking brown eyes for a moment. As soon as recognition crosses her face, they change to a cat-like form.
"Pardon my intrusion, ma'am." I bow for her. "I wanted to pay a visit while I could, since I have some business in this country."
"I see. It is sudden, but not unwelcome." She has the warm and mature sort of voice that I imagined when I first saw her picture. "I've been looking forward to meeting one of my daughter's friends, and you happen to be the most famous of them."
"How interesting."
"Indeed."
"Mom. May I go up to my room? I have things I would like to prepare before it becomes late."
"Of course, Frei. Try not to be long."
"Yes, Mom. Thank you." She bows for me next. "Thank you for visiting us, Lady Kobayashi."
"The pleasure is very much mine. Thank you for having me."
She nods before leaving, footsteps sounding evenly on the stairs as she heads up. Her mother beckons me into the kitchen, and I follow.
"The next meal is currently being prepared, but I can make you something in the meantime. Before that, we should do introductions properly."
"Yes, that sounds lovely," I say. "My name is Lilith Kobayashi, princess of the great kingdom of serpents and ace of the Hidden Leaf Village. Your daughter Erika is not only a trusted comrade, but a friend that I love deeply. She's been invaluable to me, and will remain so even after the work to change this world is done."
"I'm pleased to hear that. My name is Tomoyo Kotowari, and my daughter you met earlier is Frederica. We once lived in the Hidden Cloud before moving to its outskirts, and then ended up in this place. I was born in the land of panthers, but...a long time ago, my connection to those of my blood became much thinner than before."
"It's always unfortunate when something like that happens."
"Yes. Those few remaining relatives did reach out to help, but I also did not want to burden them. And at that time, I was unsure of Frei's health. Erika probably told you this already...so I should not go on too much. Would you like something to eat?"
"Nothing other than tea for now, if you would be so kind. I ate something a while earlier, and I can wait for the next meal if you would have me."
"As you might have guessed, I would be glad to share this meal with you."
"Thank you. And for the record, Lili is perfectly fine as an address."
"If we are foregoing formalities, please call me Tomoyo," she says with a smile.
"You know, I did underestimate just how stunning you would look in person. Those beautiful photos somehow never did you justice," I say as I sit at the table.
"My daughter did tell me about your charm and honesty across her many letters. And that you are...particularly drawn to women of a certain age."
"When we both have time, I would like to take you on a date. I should be able to behave, if it's for my Erika's dear mother."
"How reassuring. I will have to think about it, if that isn't too much trouble."
"Take as long as you like." I wink at her, and she shakes her head. "More time to plan a most wonderful experience. As mentioned before, I didn't initially plan to come by, but I decided to look into it after a meeting with some associates. Just took recalling a few things that Rika mentioned and putting them together."
"Ah. So she doesn't know where you are."
"It's been about three months since we last saw each other. We were on an important mission earlier, and then I had a few vital things to do, so I went my own way. It was for her protection, and that of the others with us."
"Shinobi business is like that," she says. "I can understand."
"That last time...she was my second in command, and she did a very fine job on all fronts. And she's remained well, as far as I know from my check-ins with the village."
"Is Miss Yamanaka well herself?"
"As boisterous as ever, so yes." The kettle on the stove whistles, and Tomoyo takes it off to pour hot water into the teapot. "She fusses over our girl better than anyone, aside from you of course."
"For some time, I was afraid that I could have made the wrong choice. We decided on everything together, but there was always a small voice reminding me of the fact that we were separated, that she would be away from her mother. That fear started to fade when I received the first letter from her. Things steadily improved."
She brings the teapot and a cup to the table, before pouring the tea for me and mixing it gently. I nod my thanks before taking a sip as she goes back to tending the stove.
"And then...many more things changed when she first met you. Something about the way she spoke, and the way she wrote, and the things she would find to send us...it was a fascinating thing to witness. It even changed Frei. Erika sees you as...her sun."
"When I first heard that from her, it did fill my heart with joy. I love her, and trust her with many things. To have someone like her next to me is a blessing that I could not dream of a few years ago. She's helped me grow, in her own way. Though if you let her tell it, she doesn't do much for me."
"She has her father's personality and mannerisms," Tomoyo says. "And her mother's genetics."
"And what a boon that has been."
She looks over her shoulder and smiles at me. "How many have told you that your methods of flattery are creative?"
"Too many to count at this point. I've even started a most daring habit of flirting with women who are trying to kill me."
"Very colourful. Perhaps you're the one that hasn't been done justice by those pictures and stories."
I preen at that. "And you've been calling me a flirt, hmhm."
Tomoyo turns down the heat and checks her pots one more time. She washes her hands and grabs a cup from the cupboard before sitting across from me at the table, and pouring herself some tea.
"Frei is upstairs organizing her important things. She has to choose what she might ask you to take back to the Leaf for Erika," she says.
"She's quiet, like her big sister."
"Yes. She aspires to be like Erika in so many ways. The clothes she gets as gifts, she takes care of thoroughly. And she's been studying shinobi arts on her own whenever she has time. The reason we call her Frei is because of Erika."
"Oh?"
"When she was still an infant, Erika had trouble pronouncing her name. It was always very cute. And then Frei started to recognize it as her name, the same as Frederica. Eventually, all of us started to call her that while at home."
"Even if it has been a while by now, I'm sorry for the loss you've had to endure," I say. "It's hard to lose family, and I imagine losing the love of your life hurts that much more."
"Thank you. I could feel comfort all of these years knowing that he lived and died doing the right thing. He set an example for Rika and Frei...and gave me the courage to carry on."
"You have been through a lot. If it's not too much to bear...would you tell me about some of your journey, Tomoyo?"
"Are you sure that you want to listen to a widow go through her life's story all of a sudden?"
"It's not out of any obligation," I say to her. "This really is what I want. To learn more about you, and about someone I love very much in the process. And maybe...to lift some of the weight from a lovely widow's heart."
"Is that all." She smiles warmly. "More than just charming, then. I can see how Erika became so fascinated with you, Lili. If that's the case, then...I will take you up on your generous offer."
"I am glad to hear it."
"Everything started with my first trip to the Hidden Cloud, many moons ago. It was something done on a whim...something that started as a very small thing, at what seemed to be an unimportant time. But it's within these margins that fate begins to do extraordinary things..."
I hear about a great many things, in most captivating ways. Tomoyo is a wonderful storyteller, something that probably goes back to her heritage. She tells me about her serious and sensitive husband, Griffin. After helping her through the Cloud the first time they met, he promptly disappeared, to her dismay. They ended up meeting again a few days later, and Tomoyo just as promptly asked him on a date. The direct approach, as she would find out, was greatly appreciated. Not simply compatible, but married within a year.
His family was welcoming, but sparse and scattered. They weren't much match for the disdain of others once they found out about her true identity, and much of her family in the beast realm abandoned her in the process. Life was even harder after Griffin died on a secretive mission for the Cloud, and the family was robbed of the chance to see him off along with the benefits that should have come along with his sacrifice. A few good people risked themselves over the years to deliver pieces of the truth: that the mission went badly, and Griffin put himself on the line to ensure that his comrades could escape and that the enemy couldn't. But while still in the dark at that time, Tomoyo took her two children and fled Lightning Country. They ended up in the Leaf, claiming asylum. While Erika proved herself as an excellent student, Tomoyo tried to figure out a new life for herself. Unfortunately, Frederica wasn't suited to the Leaf's climate at the time, and the only person who could help her was within the Hidden Cloud.
Over the span of a month, she told Erika what she wanted to do. She listened to her daughter's thoughts and concerns, and then came to a decision. She left Erika with the Hidden Leaf, as their responsibility from then on. But not alone, then or ever. The name Kotowari was the new name of their family as it moved forward. Tomoyo and Frederica travelled across the sea, back to Cloud. Frederica was able to recover, and the necessary treatments began to heal her completely. She grew stronger with each season, as Tomoyo worked many jobs before finding something stable. Working as a common secretary allowed her to save enough money to buy an old home in Sprite Valley. Being a little more than human made the normally long journey into a light jog, and thus a minimal hassle. For the first time in a long time, she was able to build a proper home, and a proper life for her and her daughter.
"You've done very well for yourself, Tomoyo."
"Thank you."
"Would it be hard leaving this behind?" I ask.
"Not at all, especially if it was for either of them. I have been thinking about the Leaf as a place to live for some time...but I would also like to see what path Frei wants to take." She takes our cups and places them on the counter. "Perhaps she wants to take her sister's path...or her father's. Or perhaps she wants to follow my lead. Perhaps something else altogether. Sometimes, I don't know exactly what goes on in her head. But I know that I trust her to make the right choice for herself. Erika has said the same thing...but she hopes that we choose to come to the Leaf, one day soon."
"She would want you to be happy, most of all. I know that she longs for you and Frederica, but she also understands how life can be. Though if it helps, I agree with her. The Leaf would be a wonderful place for both of you, and it will only get better in the future."
"I imagine you will have something to do with those improvements."
"It might be so. Either way, it's a good place for a strong and independent woman to find her feet again."
"Then I will take your endorsement into consideration."
"Mom. I hope I didn't take too long." Frederica steps into the kitchen with a small box in her hands.
"You didn't, Frei. Supper is ready and warming. I was just having a chat with Lili here."
She nods. "You needed to talk to someone other than me. I understand. Rika-nee always said Lady Kobayashi was a good listener and confidante. And I don't think I am yet suited for conversations between mature women."
"Some might call it precocious, that. I prefer to think of it as perceptive," I say.
"Thank you. I appreciate that." She gives me one of those small and meaningful smiles, just like Erika does. "If you would like, you can call me Frei. Like Mom and Rika-nee do."
"Then I insist you call me Lili from now on."
"Yes. Thank you again, Lili. This box contains my revised list of items that I would like to send to the Leaf with you, if at all possible. You may inspect them at your leisure."
"I'll do you one better, Frei. Have the box sealed and labelled, and I will transport it through my special channels so that it reaches the Leaf with haste."
"I greatly appreciate that," she says, looking very pleased with my answer.
"Very good. I am always happy to help those within my circle."
"I was not aware I was part of your circle until now."
"You and your mother, yes. The moment I learned of your existences."
Frei tilts her head. "How so?"
"Because I had already decided that I wanted to be friends with Erika. That's how I am. Any objections?" I ask.
"None. But...I will ask that I be allowed time to adjust to this change."
"As much as you need, love."
"Thank you again." She bows her head.
"Set the box aside for now, Frei. I want to serve dinner soon," Tomoyo says.
"Yes, Mom. I will do that and wash up on my way back. Please excuse me."
"I wondered if she would be able to make friends normally," Tomoyo says as she leaves. "But perhaps I was worrying too much."
"You might have been, but we have strange fellows of all sorts back home. Many love to talk and have someone to listen to them attentively. Frei would be a favourite of theirs. If it sounds magical, it is in many ways. But it's also very real."
"I see. A world of wonder and mystery, then."
"Exactly how I would put it. And one more reason it should be preserved for the future."
The three of us ruminate on the mysteries of the cosmos over a delicious and filling dinner. Basic ingredients combined with love and care would always make the best meals, and tonight's was no exception. We have shaved ice with a citrus syrup for dessert, trade stories about our Erika, make sure Frei's parcel is delivered to the serpent kingdom, and then before we realize, it's time for bed. Tomoyo insists that it's no trouble, so I stay in Erika's now mostly empty room after taking a warm bath. A quiet hour of surveillance to make sure everyone's safe and nobody was tracking me earlier, and then I finally let myself go to sleep.
Morning comes, and I lay quietly in bed for a while Tomoyo gets ready to go out. She mentioned today would be a half day at work. Frei gets up a little bit after that, and then I decide to start my morning shortly after.
"It would be no trouble if you stayed a while longer. But you mentioned having other work to do," Tomoyo says before serving us breakfast. She's wearing a neat blouse over the rugged pants she uses on her runs to the village.
"Yes. A number of strange things afoot, and some people that I believe I have to meet before they end up elsewhere. Otherwise, I would gladly stay here. It's a lovely home, and you've been an excellent hostess. I appreciate you, Tomoyo."
"The pleasure was certainly mine. Though you would say it wasn't yet."
"Ah, you've figured me out already. Exciting to know."
"Thank you for everything you've done. For Erika, and for both of us here. And I want to thank you for the things that you will do in the future."
"I hope one day that you'll be able to reach the Leaf again, and see for yourself how beautiful your daughter has become. Inside and outside both."
"I will clean up everything for us, Mom. You can focus on your travel to work," Frei says.
"Thank you, Frei. Then I will be off." Tomoyo puts a handbag over her shoulder with the day's needs. "Be safe, as always."
"Yes, Mom."
She kisses Frei on the cheek, and then does the same for me.
"Until we meet again, Lili. Please be well."
"Until then, Tomoyo."
She smiles and rubs my cheek gently before heading out. Frei takes care of breakfast clean up as promised, and fills one of my canteens with the remaining breakfast. Everything is packed, nothing out of place. I leave a few more tools with Frei for her personal development, as I still have enough to make use of if trouble comes up. The kinds of people I might be dealing with won't be bothered by regular tools anyways. Murakumo will have to be enough.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Frei," I say as we head outside. "If you don't make it over in the next little while, I'll be sure to come this way again with some nice treats for you and your mum."
"Thank you for your praise, Lili. It was good to have you here, and to hear about my sister. Can you confirm that the parcel has arrived at its destination?"
"I can confirm that it has. Rika should have it by the end of today."
"Thank you. I greatly appreciate that."
"You're welcome, love." I kiss her on the cheek. "Be well, and continue growing into the wonderful woman I know you will be. Everyone is proud of you. Your father, especially. No matter what path you choose, you will honour his memory, just by being you. Remember that."
"I will. Thank you, Lili. As Mom said, please be safe."
"Of course. Until the next, dear Frederica."
She smiles and bows for me deeply. "Until we meet again, Lady Kobayashi."
I smile back and nod before heading out. The tall grass greets me once more, and I travel through it towards my new destination.
"The Valley of Clouds and Lightning...and you should still be there, if I have my wits about me. That chakra signature is too hard to miss," I say to myself. "Alright, then. We will see what kind of mood you're in, Killer Bee."
And hopefully, I'll keep him out of a real beast's cross-hairs. Pain might be gone, but Akatsuki isn't done with yet. We still have a job to finish.