Scarlet Justice - ep. 19
"Togetherness"
Our meeting place is the main gate of the Leaf. Kurenai and Shino are already here. We meet and say our morning greetings before waiting for our last member. After a few minutes, Hinata arrives with another person in tow. The colour of their eyes makes it clear they're a member of the Hyuuga Clan.
"Lady Hinata, will you need anything else?" the man asks, annoyed at his task.
"N-no...I will b-be fine...t-t-thank you..."
"Understood. Then I will return to the estate." He gives the rest of us a dismissive look before taking off, back into the village.
"Everyone ready?" Kurenai asks. I want to say no. I should. Hinata is trying to hide it, but I can see the faint dark lines under her eyes. She's barely slept.
"Yes," the three of us say in unison.
It will be okay. I'll protect her. None of us want to screw this mission up, especially after the Hokage put his faith in all of us.
Kurenai nods. "Good. Our clients and their cargo should be coming up now. I think I see them."
The merchants draw nearer to us from inside of the village, and stop with us at the gates. Horses pulling a covered wagon, though this one has a solid roof and sides, made of strong wood. Sturdier than the normal covered wagons, and probably more expensive. The wheels are different too, containing rubber treads as opposed to leaving it just at wood.
The occupants meet up with us, three merchants.
"Morning to you." The first person is an older bald man, stern looking and muscular. He's fit and looks like he could easily thrive in the wilderness on his own. And he has a sort of aura that would seem intense to normal people. His name is Zen, and he's definitely the leader of the outfit. He has a black shirt on over blue overalls.
As he shakes hands with Kurenai, I take note of the other members. There's the younger man, probably early twenties, with brown hair spiked upwards and piercings on his eyebrows. I hear that his name is Toki. His loud complaining indicates that he thinks we're unnecessary. His muscles are bigger than Zen's, but I can see that they're mainly for show. Likely a playboy in his free time. He wears a baggy blue shirt and pants that look to be the group's regular uniform.
The last person has a vulnerable feeling to them. They're frail looking and skinny, and the baggy uniform that Toki wears looks even bigger on their body. It takes an extra moment for me to figure out that it's a woman under there. Her name is Airi, and she's even quieter than Hinata is...her black hair is cut short, and she's making an attempt to hide her femininity, wearing a straw hat to help that along. Given the things that can happen to women who travel...it's a sensible decision.
"What are the properties of the cargo that we're guarding?" Shino asks.
"None of your fuckin' business," Toki snarls. "You're getting paid to help us guard it, not to find out what's inside. Fuckin' clown. I told you this was a shitty idea, old man."
"Pipe down," Zen says. "Sorry about the kid. The cargo is pretty important like you've heard, and it's one of many shipments we've made. Wind Country is paying top dollar for it...there's a mix of things in here, but the majority of the shipment contains Red Iron."
"Red Iron?" Kurenai asks. "I've heard it mentioned vaguely, but I don't know much about it."
"It's a super conductive type of metal. Highly receptive to chakra and has a hell of a lot of applications. Ultra-high speed vibrations with lightning, extra moisture with water, increased heat tolerance and transfer with fire."
"So anything can become a deadly weapon when made with the stuff."
"Precisely. Now, being a metal it has applications outside of combat, really good ones...but this kind of offer couldn't be passed up. Can't give you the exact details, but it's a fat sack of cash for us once we finish this job. We...or really, I figured that we could afford to hire some extra muscle as a result."
"And I see that it only exists in a certain place at the moment, which is why you've kept your origins on a need to know basis," Kurenai concludes.
"You got it. We haven't yet perfected the process - working tools are pretty rare right now - but we're pretty much the only ones with the knowledge, expertise, and frankly the balls to handle this stuff. Red Iron is a real bitch to work with."
"Ah, I see."
"This is a waste of money," Toki says, interrupting. "A painted up leader, a girl pissing herself, a weirdo nerd in a jacket and this short red-headed bitch. This is what we've paid for? A bunch of fucking runts?"
"Ignoring the other garbage...I gotta question the youth movement here, myself," Zen says. "Did you guys just get dumped on us?"
"Lord Hokage entrusted us with this mission," Kurenai says. "The girl your...associate insulted just now with his vulgar language is an elite rookie kunoichi. By the numbers and her performances, she's on the same level as the Fourth Hokage at this age."
Zen raises a brow and looks at me, impressed. "That much, eh? Well...I know not to underestimate people who look small. That's what age teaches, anyways. Alright, you've sold me. We've wasted enough time chatting. The wagon's got enough room for four people, including the cargo. What's our game plan?"
"Let's go with two of us outside, two inside while you drive," Kurenai says. "Schedule preferences?"
"Hmm...let's keep it normal. Travel during the day, sleep at night."
"Good. We'll work out night watch when we get there. Sound okay?"
"Perfect. Let's get moving."
Kurenai turns to us. "Team Eight, our mission has begun. C-Rank, minimal threat level. Keep your eyes and ears tuned towards me, and if you have anything to bring to my attention, anything at all, please do so. Understood?"
"Understood, sensei," we all reply.
"Good. Then we advance."
It's largely uneventful out here. We keep level with the horse and wagon as it moves along at a steady pace, down the cleared paths of the Leaf Forest. Zen drives, Toki and Airi are inside. Shifts rotate throughout the day, and Kurenai makes sure that we're not expending too much energy. Two people on, two people off inside of the wagon. If someone is tired, they can take a nap to recharge.
The strategy pays out wonderfully; we make very good ground in three days even with the horses stopping for rest.
"Oi, sensei."
"Mister Zen. What can I do for you?" Kurenai responds. It's the fourth day and we've crossed the border from Fire Country to Wind Country. The forest is behind us, and we've started down a desert trail.
"We're going to stop and get a good meal in us. I know we're all tough, but I think we've made some really good time, and it'd be nice to get some actual rest in for once."
"I feel much the same. Let's find somewhere good to stop."
The land around us is flat and dusty, broken up by patches of vegetation. Some unfamiliar plants, and what I recognize as cactus. I can also see some have blooming flowers, so I wonder if it rained recently...
"There's something good."
Kurenai seems to have spotted something in the distance. We head off-road with the wagon moving a bit slower as our horses traverse the terrain. They're strong children though, and bring their cargo and passengers towards a most welcome sight.
An oasis, complete with natural hot spring.
"Hoh, lucky!" Zen says with a laugh.
"Shall we stop here?" Kurenai asks, smiling.
"Yeah, definitely. Oi, slackers!" He bangs on the wagon roof behind him, causing Toki to respond with his usual string of curses. The younger man steps out and scoffs.
"You really wanna stand here and jerk around with a delivery to make?"
"Shut it. We're going to be almost a week early for our shipment at this rate, no need to tire ourselves out for no reason," Zen responds. "Now you can sulk if you want, but I'm gonna make us some real grub and get a damn bath."
"Tch." Toki ducks back into the wagon as Airi steps out. She takes off her hat and fans herself with it. Shino and Hinata emerge from the other side. He starts snooping around for bugs, as I expected. Hinata...she looks better, and rested. But she's also been nearly silent aside from replying to orders, and has been distancing herself from everyone else.
It's probably nerves because of the mission, but...I still worry. I want to reach out to her. It's just...if I approach this the wrong way, I'm going to hurt her. And I can't stand the thought of making my precious friend hurt. What can I do...? Hm.
"..."
I need more understanding. The event that almost made me boil over...nearly a week ago now. There are things going on around Hinata that I'm not privy to. I can change that. I know who to talk to. Kurenai has gone to the hot spring, so this is an opportunity to chat privately.
And...there are other bonuses to consider. I suppose.
"I'm following sensei to the hot spring," I announce. "Hinata, you should come over too when you're ready."
"I'll...think about it. Thank you, Lili..."
I nod and leave it at that, then walk through the small section of bush towards the naturally formed pool on the other side. Provides for a small bit of privacy, which is nice. Kurenai is undoing her wrappings as I arrive.
"You too, eh? Well, company is nice." She hums to herself.
"..."
"...Lili? Oi. What's with that look..."
"Nothing. Continue," I say with a gesture. "We're both girls here, aren't we?"
"Yeah, and?"
"Well, I'm sort of interested to see what you look like."
She frowns. "Bit much, isn't it?"
"Not really. I take baths with Luna and Midori-nee all the time. I know what a naked woman looks like."
"This is a bit different, I think."
"I wouldn't say so. Skinship like this is a good way to bond, sensei." I shake my head and start to pull off my shirt. "I'll occupy myself if you're so shy. Just make sure you keep your eyes away on your side."
"I wonder what you're implying, missy."
"Nothing terrible, sensei."
"Yes, I'm sure. If you could close your mouth for a moment, that'd be great."
"Rumours get around."
"They sure do."
I finish undressing and folding up my clothes, then slowly step into the pool before sinking down into it. Remarkably good temperature. Kurenai slowly steps in herself, and I get a good view of her. Not anything like Luna or Midori, obviously...but a well-honed body. I think it's impressive.
"Did you get to meet with Luna?" I ask.
"I did." She sighs as she settles in.
"What did you think?"
"She's a good woman, very devoted to you and observant as well. You know, I think she could become a kunoichi herself if she wanted to. She'd be really good. But from what she's said, she really enjoys being of service to you. Heh, there are a lot of guys who would kill for a woman like that. Well, life being what it is...a few have, unfortunately."
"I'm glad to hear that...but that wasn't what I was really asking about."
She blinks at me. "Huh?"
"Her body. You know? What did you think?"
"Oh, for...stop asking about lewd things, Lili." She closes her eyes and grumbles. "It's not nice to bully people."
"Hm. Well, I tease Hinata all the time, and she doesn't mind."
"She doesn't mind much when it comes to you," Kurenai shoots back.
"Shino's not much fun."
"He's got an annoying way of speaking, I know that much. But he's a good kid." She narrows her eyes at me. "And you are too, when you're not busy being a pervert."
"Oh, come on. I told you flat out that I liked girls. There's no reason for me not to look at you."
"I'm into guys. Guys," she repeats. "Men, human males."
"I can appreciate the aesthetics of men, also. But I don't like them nearly as much as I do women. Besides, you look really good."
"..." Kurenai goes silent and sinks into the water a bit. "You're not just teasing me again, are you?"
"I am, but it's the truth. You really do look good. All that aside," I say with a smile, "spending time with you is always a pleasure, Kurenai."
"You really are a troublesome girl," she says as she shifts back to her original position. Finally, she smiles back at me. "But that's why I like you. Never a dull moment."
"Indeed."
"Hrm..." She has a conflicted expression. "Alright, this is going to sound weird..."
"Is it, now."
"Yes, because I'm asking these things of a twelve year old girl. When...did you kind of, you know...know?"
"It was...I saw two beautiful women kissing," I say to her, feeling warm at the memory. "And I really thought it was the most magnificent thing in the world. I thought it was something I wanted for myself, I suppose. And those feelings only grew and grew with each day. It wasn't just the kissing part, but...beyond that is hard to explain. I don't know if I really could. But it sparked something in me, and made me forget about everything else."
"That's enough, I think. I get it. Listen, I hope that wasn't..."
"It wasn't, Kurenai. I'm actually glad you asked. Thank you."
She laughs quietly. "The more I learn, the more I get attached to you, Lili. You just tell me if I ever go too far, alright?"
"I will, Kurenai. Thank you."
"And thank you, Lili."
This time of conversation is good. But...there's that question I need to ask. For Hinata's sake.
"Kurenai...I was wondering..."
"About Hinata," she finishes for me.
"Yes."
"She hasn't been doing too well. Not sleeping much, barely eating...I thought the mission structure would help get her into some sort of normal routine, so that's why I kept with it for her sake. She's improved, but not by much..."
"Please tell me what's happening. What was that message the other day?" I slowly move over to where Kurenai is, resting my arms on the edge of the pool.
"No touching," she says firmly.
I feign a sigh. "Fine. I won't this time."
"You're awful."
"I know."
She pauses for both of us before continuing. "The message I relayed the other day was the truth. Hinata...she's the eldest daughter of Hiashi Hyuuga, the current head of the Hyuuga Clan. She was always sort of shy and timid, but she would also attempt to be outgoing and friendly to people. A lot of people loved her. She was the pride and joy of the clan, and expected to be the next leader. Someone who could take the weight of Hyuuga prestige on her shoulders. But...her training didn't go well. You see how she is...she doesn't seem like someone suited to fighting, and it was the case long ago as well. But she forged ahead out of love for her family. She always did her best."
"..." Hinata...
"But it wasn't enough. Ever so slowly, she fell out of favour with her father, and the elders, and then the rest of the clan. All of them started to look down on her. She started to fall behind, day by day. Hiashi stopping caring about her progress, and all that did was make her tumble further and further. A vicious cycle that continued as he taught her less and less...and then he suddenly stopped teaching her. That was the same time that he started to groom Hanabi for succession. And at that point, she was no longer the clan heiress. Hanabi...she's seven right now, and about to enter the Academy when her basic training is deemed complete. She's his successor now. That's why he said he had no use for Hinata. She's...nobody to him. Just a useless child."
"..."
"Lili?"
It's taking a lot...to hold back these tears. "I'm...fine. It's just that...that feeling of just being reduced to a pawn..."
"What do you mean?"
"Kurenai...if I were a boy, I wouldn't be here with you right now. I would be at the mansion, or with my father on business trips across the land. He wanted a boy. Not a girl with red hair. Not someone with such a cold feeling to them, and an odd smile that frightened others. He wanted a heir...not a heiress. And I realize now that...not once...did he truly care about me."
"Lili...no. You too?"
"Yes." I take a breath in to calm down. "I'm just a discard too. He's never said it out loud, never expressed it in front of me...but I know. I know in my heart that I am nothing to him. My...father. Hinata and I are reflections of each other, I know that for sure now. But she was so pure, so vulnerable...she should have been cherished and protected the first time she fell. She's spent her entire life being beaten down and torn apart, through no fault of her own. But I...I who became cursed and lonely, I was able to sharpen myself. I pulled my strength inward and survived. I found myself drawn to Midori-nee, and she made me into a beautiful weapon with her love. My stepmother acknowledges me as a warrior princess, and gives me strength with her prayers. And Luna, she devotes herself to me out of love."
"Lili..."
"Midori-nee...told me this. That what I have to do is pour my love into her, just as it was done for me. It's going to be difficult. She's scared that she will break into pieces, and...even as much as I want to believe, I'm scared too..."
"But you don't want to see her like that anymore," Kurenai says.
"Yes. I can see it inside of her. I can see strength...the heart of a lioness. I want to draw it out of her, but only she can let it happen. I can't do it all. It has to be her."
"That's why you worry about her so much...I see now. A reflection of the pain you've experienced your whole life," Kurenai says sadly. She looks at me with resolve a moment later. "Lili. We'll help her for sure. She's already come such a long way, but it's these critical points that test a person. Many people run into walls and just...give up because they seem too high to climb. I want to say that it won't be the case, but...I've seen a lot of people who seemed to have it all together just crumble in the face of a challenge. There's no way to tell what will happen in the end."
"..." I ponder Kurenai's words.
"Lili, I think...you can reach her."
"I want to believe it. I want to believe that I can, because...she doesn't deserve to wander in darkness. Not like I did for so long."
"Then believe. And follow through. You'll have my support...after all, we girls need to stick together, yeah?"
I smile. "You're right. Sticking together...like this, maybe~?" With a turn, I move ahead and hug Kurenai tightly.
"Ah? Hey, what'd I say earlier?"
"Soft, too...I like it."
"You...geez. You're too much." I feel her hug me back. "Thanks..."
"For what?" I ask.
"Nothing...just for choosing to trust me, I guess. I'm happy that you can do that, after this amount of time. It's...it makes me feel good. That's all."
"..." I look up at her and tilt my head to one side.
"What?"
"Tsundere?" I ask innocently. She blushes and turns her head away, but still strokes my hair gently.
"You need to stop saying weird things...you dummy."