Scarlet Justice - ep. 58
"Gravitas et Virtus"
[Sasuke Recovery Mission: Epilogue]

"There is something that should be understood...when it comes to the divide between heaven and earth. Do you see the birds in the sky?"

I hurriedly push the straw hat towards the back of my head, looking towards the sky. Small birds, and a larger one. The hawk, majestic in flight.

"Everyone wants to fly. To reach the sky, to reach towards heaven...that is what is exalted above all else in this world. To reach the heavens above, in a single flowing motion."

I look up at my mother from the grass, hearing her words in this memory, but not understanding them until this moment. She walks forward before kneeling, dirt staining her white dress as she picks up a wriggling thing in her hands.

"But the connections to the heavenly plain are not that simple."

"..."

"Do you remember? The same serpent that was cursed to crawl on its belly was lifted up in the desert by the prophet, and made into an instrument of power that parted the seas themselves. All things under heaven and earth are created with the strength of the cosmos. Let us be humble in all things...and bring that strength out from within us, to make the world right again."

She lets the snake leave her hands, settling back onto the grass before slithering through it again. Her hands rise to the sky, and she smiles.

"I pray that with the rain, there will also be showers of wisdom and blessings. I want my heavenly blossom to grow in spirit and truth."

I feel myself lifted into the air, looking down at my mother's smiling face.

"Lili. Your eyes are bright, you know. One day, you'll see much further than I could hope to."

"Mommy? Will that...make you happy?" I ask in a tiny voice.

"Happier than anything in this world, my love."

Caroline brings me close, and our noses press together with pure affection. I close my eyes and let her warmth and wisdom flow through me.

A simple memory. And one with a value that cannot be matched by any earthly item.

"..."

My eyes open.

The weather is different. Those same skies from my distant, precious memory are here as well. The clouds roam in that vivid sea of blue, fluffy, thin, and light. I feel the cold against my bare skin; my sweater is gone from my body, and there's an immense pain running through my right arm that is steadily dying down. As I glance at it, I see that it is wrapped in bandage with a splint to keep it from moving. My chest is sore, and there's a strange tingle running through my body.

It's early evening.

I realize that I'm back to normal. I'm mortal again.

"..."

It's...a disappointing feeling, I think. A bit deflating? But I can get over it and go back to living my life again. I don't feel that desire to cross over just yet.

"You're awake." Hina helps me to a sitting position slowly, leaning me against a tree. She puts a small pill into my mouth and gently makes me drink water from her palms. I feel my body relax, and she places a hand on my stomach. "Your body is doing well. I had a look and your heart was a bit excited after you sank underwater, but you were still breathing properly and able to move your legs once you reached dry land. Do you remember anything?"

"Nothing much...the last I remember was watching the blood go into the water."

"I see. So your will was guiding you the rest of the way..." She lifts her hand from my stomach and brushes back some of my hair. "You have a lovely and strong soul, Lili. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Hina. You were wonderful. Magnificent."

"I did all that I could for you."

"You've also picked up my sharp tongue, I see."

She blushes. "It's...a bit embarrassing, recalling all of that. I've never said such things, even in anger...not until today, anyways. I suppose you really are rubbing off on me, but that's not a bad thing, is it?"

"I wouldn't say so, but I'm a bit biased," I say with my own smile.

"Can you feel your arm?" she asks me.

"Yes. It hurts, a whole lot."

"It's the sign of life. Pain is essential to our living as shinobi," she says as she checks over the bandages again. My eyes finally adjust to the light, and I realize where we are.

"Ah...these are the bones." We're currently in a clearing, some distance away from my fight with Kimimaro. The bone spires that I dodged from his final attack are still here.

"We carried you here to check on Lee. He was doing well enough, and worried for us. It took some convincing from Shikamaru to keep him still, since he wanted to do everything he could to help. I can't believe these sorts of constructs...you faced this type of attack and won, Lili?"

"Yes. It looked quite scary at first, but with that sort of speed...it was good enough to save Lee and make it out alive. That's what mattered most, anyways."

"Mm."

"What is everyone's current status?"

"Sasuke has significant injuries. Fractured ribs, damaged lung, fractures and breaks in his right arm and leg, symptoms of a concussion and possible damage to the skull...there's more to be sure, but I can't recall all of it right now from what I've taken down. The main point is that we can't carry him back like this. Shino has left for the nearest town so that we can send a message to the village, and request medical shinobi."

"They're usually out some distance behind us for operations like this, but the Leaf Medic Corps is definitely stretched thin because of these invasions...us being on the end of one, and then putting someone else on the end of another. It's fair that we have to wait a bit in that case," I say.

"Yes. I think from the time of the message being sent...it might take about two days or something close to that for a proper medical team to arrive. Shikamaru also needs to remain still, so that he doesn't aggravate his leg any further. It seems to be an ankle sprain, which isn't too terrible, but will still need time to heal. Shino will still be recovering from the depletion of his insect colonies, as they ran dangerously low while he was helping to defend us. Lee is being kept still as I mentioned earlier. As a result of all this, Shikamaru has placed me as second in command for the time being due to my mobility."

"Yes, that sounds like him. Fucking slacker." I sigh. "Sakura?"

"Minor cuts and bruises, broken nose. She'll live." There's an unsaid 'unfortunately' at the end of it. I can't blame Hina for being furious. I look to my right and see the mentioned girl sitting against a tree some distance away. Sasuke is lying on a blanket, his body covered and his face wrapped up in bandage.

Less damage than I was expecting, to be honest. It was quite a blow when I think back on it.

"You did well not to kill him with that technique."

"Hm. Did I...I wonder," I say to Hina.

"You would have taken his head off cleanly if you aimed higher. Was Naruto on your shoulder reminding you of what was at stake?"

"No...it was me alone that time. He helped before, when the fight was starting, but after that...it was different. It's hard to describe...the place that I travelled through earlier." I turn my head back towards her. "Did you see what happened? Did you see anything strange?"

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"You transformed again. I saw it clearly, even without my doujutsu. Your hair and your eyes were a beautiful red. Your body was shining brightly, glowing like a star in the night sky. And there were four white wings on your back, big and pure and white. I saw thousands of feathers everywhere, floating around you. That was the single frame etched into my mind, as I saw you dance through the air. I didn't catch your movement or the form of your attack at all. All I could see in the moment afterwards was...the feathers floating away from your back as you landed on the water, and then disappearing into dots of light."

"Mm." Was that...something beyond what I envisioned? It certainly sounds beautiful and majestic. Transcending my own limits, and gaining a heavenly new form. Gaining the power to soar through the sky, like the sacred hawk...grabbing hold of heaven's tethers through this blessed wisdom, as a serpent who has ascended in strength from her place among the earth's roots.

It was as my mother said so long ago. Those words, spoken into the universe, now made manifest by my strength. With her beautiful spirit pushing me forward, constantly. I really did see beyond what she could...

"Lili. Let me imagine it, even if I don't completely understand," Hina says as she kneels in front of me.

"It was the field of God, Hina. I transcended my humanity for just a moment...I went beyond mortal sight and feeling, beyond mortal understanding."

"Ah."

"All because of the forbidden formula...this was the result. Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Stage Four. 'Twin Drive System'," I say proudly.

"So you finally completed it...the dream technique, then," she says with a sigh.

"Yes. A magnificent breakthrough."

"You really are a fool. Sometimes you're too chunni for your own good. Stuck inside of your own head, making up nonsense so that you can terrorize the Leaf and the world at large," she scolds evenly. "Idiot. Idiot, idiot, idiot. Reckless. Stupid. Chunni. Meathead. Mad woman. The worst."

I let my eyes drift upwards as she continues. We both know that I'm not listening, and that she just wants to vent after a stressful time. Hina eventually finishes and calms down.

"Your arm. How is it?" I ask in the silence.

"It's moving properly now. But very painful near the shoulder. It seems that Sasuke's attack didn't do enough damage to take me out completely," she says. "I've dried your socks. Do you want them?"

"I should be fine for now." I look out to the evening sky again, over the top of the bone spires as the colours begin to change ever so slightly. "That jacket is really good. My chest didn't even get wet. By the way-"

"I didn't look. I knew you would ask something like that."

"Shame. It was a good chance, you know. I've grown a fair bit since the Academy."

"You're really the worst."

"Probably. You have to rest too, Hina. It's been a long day for everyone."

"I have to wait for Shino to come back before I can properly sleep. But I can rest a while here with you. I have a request."

"What is it?"

"I want to use your lap today. It should be warm and soothing."

"Teasing me again."

"You deserve that much. So...can I?" she asks.

I really can't resist her if she's asking so earnestly. I nod and she puts her head in my lap gently, looking up at me. My good hand reflexively goes to stroke her head.

"I can't save anyone properly," I say into the air.

"Do you really think that?"

"I do. It's...hard. I wonder what kind of leader I'll really become in the future. This was an urgent mission with high stakes, so the options were limited. I just don't know if things could have gone differently."

"Aren't those things to think on later? What matters right now is that you won. You stopped Sasuke and Sakura from leaving, and saved all of us from further harm. You did amazingly well, Lili."

"I suppose."

"You should let your thoughts settle more...it seems to be difficult to reconcile everything after all of the earlier excitement. Please don't be so hard on yourself. You did well. You're a wonderful leader."

"Thank you, Hina. I needed that. I'll need more of it soon, for sure."

"I'll always be here for you."

"I know."

"This is a nice feeling...I understand why boys talk about it all the time," Hina says with a smile. "What was it they called it?"

"Lap pillow," I say.

"Yes. Warm and soft. Pleasant. But I don't know if it's the aesthetic or it's just you."

"Mm. Further research seems to be necessary, then."

"I don't know about that happening any time soon."

I laugh softly. "It's said that a woman's thighs are soothing to the soul in any era. Times may change, but the blessings of a warm and cozy lap are eternal, unsullied by the passage of time."

"You never change, do you."

"Hmhm. We'll grow together in womanhood and sex appeal, Hina. It's time to focus our bodies and spirits to become the most complete women we can be."

She sighs. "Right. Then I'm in your care, senpai."

"Yes, always."

I let myself get lost in Hina's warmth, mixing with the breeze that flows past us. My eyes close, and my hand comes to rest on my sister's head gently as I relax. And despite myself, I drift off to sleep once more. This is what my body wants for the evening...and so, I don't try to fight it any longer.

I wake up, feeling refreshed. Hina removes the strips of bandage from my face, with the cuts and scratches having healed up for the most part. Since she hasn't gotten the hang of healing chakra just yet, she's settled for regular first aid. It's been more than good enough, as Shikamaru and Lee have proper splints along with me, and have been made comfortable enough to rest and recover properly.

It's still early, and most everyone else is asleep still. I get my writing instruments and a scroll, then start to document what happened during the chase. Observations, thoughts, and discussions...all of the relevant things I can think of that will need to go into a report. I lie on my belly on top of a blanket and write at a leisurely pace with my left hand.

"At work already? You really are trouble."

"Ruki gave me the same amount of lip at the hospital," I say to Hina as she returns. "You can guess how far she got with that."

"Yes, clearly."

"I'll have to interview all of you soon. There's nothing better to do while we wait for the medics to get here, so we might as well get it out of the way. I should be done with the mission reports soon, too."

"Please don't work too hard," Hina says.

"I won't. As I keep saying to you and Shino, paperwork is a trivial thing for me. I couldn't tell you why that is...maybe a buried memory from long ago. My father certainly didn't teach me about his business, and my stepmother...she's my stepmother, let's leave it at that for now." I notice a basket in her hands. "What's that you have there?"

"Produce and other fresh food. Shino brought it in yesterday. I also did some hunting with Shikamaru's guidance."

"He finally got off his ass to do something. Good boy," I say as I continue writing.

"Lili, be nice."

"No. That damn slacker knows where he stands with me."

She sighs and waves me off. "Let us know when you need our battle reports. I'll start on breakfast in the meantime."

"Aye." I watch as Hina re-starts the fire from yesterday easily. There are already a few cooking instruments fashioned from a combination of forest material and our remaining shinobi tools. Hmm. "Hina, did you want something stronger as a utensil?"

"It would be nice. Did you have something?"

"Up ahead." I stand up and focus chakra into my left hand, then point it forward at one of the closer bone spires.

"You really shouldn't be doing that."

"Hush a moment. I'm making your life easier." I fire Mobius and shatter the bone before yawning. "There. Have at it."

"I really wonder about you, Lili."

I shrug and go back to my earlier position, lying down and continuing with my mission report.

"It turns out we can make use of these. Some rather large pieces we can eat from, too. Thank you, Lili."

"Mm-hm. Always here to lend a helping hand, you know."

Hina starts to cook meat over the fire, and it smells delicious already. I want to finish off these parts of the report so that I can dig in without shame and then sleep it off for a while.

"Breakfast already? Man, you guys get busy early..."

By the time I hear Shikamaru's voice, another hour has passed. The bulk of the reports are done with, so it's just the individual interviews that have to be done now. Those can wait a bit.

"It's mid-morning, fucking slacker."

"Oi, mid-morning is still too early for your tongue to be so sharp. Lee's coming, Shino was just taking him on a tour around the perimeter. Hell of a guy, still as energetic as ever even with half his body out of commission."

"That's Rock Lee, alright." I set down my pen and let out a breath. "I'm more than happy that he's his obnoxious self at this stage, honestly. Helps me keep some perspective."

"Good morning, fellow Leaf comrades! Today is the start of a most youthful day!"

"Indeed," I call back. As I get to my feet, I see that Lee has his right arm draped over Shino's right shoulder. His right arm and leg are in their own splints, as set up by Hina the day before. "Good of you to make it back for breakfast. Hina is almost done."

"Ah, excellent. Captain, I can vigorously deliver my report from yesterday's intense battle!"

"After eating, my boy. Put something in that belly of yours, or else you won't be feeling too youthful in the middle of my note taking."

"Understood!"

"I also have additional writings for you to look at. Some focus will be necessary."

"Additional writings? Hm! Okay, I understand. I will enjoy Lady Hinata's youthful breakfast, and then return to duty as quickly as possible!" His head swivels towards where Sasuke lies. "Oh! Sakura, you have awakened as well!"

"..." The very last thing I want to do is talk to her, but there are things that she needs to hear. Important things.

"I...if there's...something you..."

"Just be quiet, Sakura. You don't need to do anything," I say tersely.

"I...I just..."

"I said to shut the fuck up. Enough of us can still move, so we don't need your help. You've done enough for us, as you must know by now."

"Maybe it would be better if we put her to work," Shikamaru suggests. "She's not gonna run off, not with Sasuke in that state."

"I absolutely do not agree with that course of action," Hina says firmly. "I may be injured, but I will take care of our food needs efficiently."

"Sheesh. This is why I hate dealing with women. You're all so vicious, even someone like Hinata..."

"If you're worried about needing to earn your next meal, put those stupid thoughts out of your head," I say to Sakura. She rubs her arm nervously. "Believe me, if I wanted you dead, I would have a million more pleasurable ways to off you instead of just letting you possibly starve in the middle of a forest. You'll eat when the food's ready along with the rest of us. Until then, you can go sit in your corner with your precious fucking Sasuke. Shove your hand down your pants and have some fun. I don't care what it is you do."

She sniffles and says nothing else.

"I know that we are all upset," Lee says as he lowers himself to the ground, "but such cruelty is unnecessary, I believe. I beg everyone to be a little kinder, and more reasonable at this time. Anger will not fix anything that has happened here today."

"We have been reasonable enough, Lee." Hina takes her cooking off the fire and turns towards us. She wipes her hands with a cloth and sets it down before walking up to Sakura, who is trembling by now. One hand clutches her wrist, with her arms in front of her chest in a sort of defensive posture. Hina does nothing but stare, looking as if she's shoving invisible swords into Sakura with each passing moment.

"I have been reasonable enough, especially. Allowing her into our camp like this, unrestrained...basically uninjured. That is a kindness that would be afforded to no other person who has committed the crimes that she has. I have every right to strike her until I am satisfied that she has spilled enough blood. Hurting my comrades, my beloved sister...and more than that, the love of my life. I am providing food, and I have provided medical aid to this person. But you say that I am being unreasonable for expressing even a hint of dislike, of anger towards someone like this? Someone who helped do all of this to us, who is being shown mercy and a way home instead of being thrown into oblivion where she belongs?"

"Please...I-I'm..."

"You can spare me your apologies. And your tears. They're worthless to me now," she says as her head snaps back to Sakura. "I...will never...ever...forgive you, Sakura Haruno. You have hurt too many of my precious people, let alone my friends, for me to let this go. Consider my tolerance of your pitiful, worthless existence the greatest kindness you have ever received in your life. I am done speaking."

Those embers burn hot.

Sakura...crossed a bold line the other day. She did something that hurt many people and almost killed a few more. I don't feel the same anger as Hina does right now. More of a disappointment and a pity too deep for words. I watch as Hina calms down before turning away, going back to preparing breakfast for the group. Sakura seems on the verge of falling apart.

I might as well get it over with, and have things start anew.

"Lee, I'm sorry for being so cross with you...I'm just having a hard time right now," I hear Hina say.

"I understand, Lady Hinata. This is a difficult time for everyone, and...many things did happen as a result of Sakura's actions. I wish it were not so."

"Come with me," I say as I spin Sakura around by the shoulder. She stumbles a bit before regaining her balance as we walk deeper into the trees.

"W-what is it...? Is it more? Something you d-don't want the others t-to..."

"Hina has said enough for both of us. My sentiments aren't the exact same as hers, but the anger is shared. You did a despicable thing along with Sasuke, and you should be ashamed of yourself. That is not why I brought you out here."

"T-then...why."

"You didn't hear the start of the conversation between myself and Sasuke. Too busy getting into position for your little ambush."

"..."

"You remember what happened the night you left with Sasuke."

"I...w-with the four...from Sound. And then Kimimaro j-joined...on the way."

"That's what happened once you left, yes. Before that, something else happened."

"I f-f-fought with Ino...and then she left to get...help," Sakura says.

"She never got to put that call out, Sakura."

"H-huh?" Her eyes widen slowly.

"We found out you left because your travel companions wanted to make sure nobody present would tell on them. They saw Ino running, and confronted her. They beat her without mercy, and left her near a stream to bleed out and die."

"Ino...?"

"She's alive. She woke up the morning that we left. We spoke for a while."

"I...I caused...? No...please..." Tears run down her face as she shakes her head.

"Do you know what she said to me? What she asked?"

"N-no...no, I don't want to know-"

I reach out and grab her by the chin, forcing her to look at me.

"She said that she still loved you. She asked us to forgive you. And she begged me through her tears to bring you back home."

"Ahh...no...no...Ino!"

I let go and she falls to the ground, like a doll with cut strings.

"Why me?! I did that, and she...she still...! I c-can't...!"

She clutches at the sides of her head and screams. It's followed by ugly crying and the most pitiful wails. I stand over her and watch as she's shredded apart by her own emotion, by the guilt and pain that she feels at this very moment. I do nothing but watch as she finally shatters into pieces, crushed under the weight of her sins.

And this is just the beginning.

She has sinned against me. She has sinned against many others, and I cannot control their decisions, nor do I have any plans to do so. Death seems to be something she would want, something that she would crave to escape this pain. That is part of the reason I stand here. I won't let her get away so easily.

Sakura will pay for her sins. She will pay penance to everyone she has harmed. She will pay penance to the village that she betrayed. Sasuke will too, in his own way.

They will pay for every wound and scar that we have suffered in this strife.

I will make sure of it.