Kiyomi Sato-Hon - Little Alice

[Little Alice]

The Aftermath of Lilia.

''Kiyomi sounds nice.''

A collab between Roran and Alice.

SPOILER: Click to show

Removing the bandage off her face, she looked at her face. The room was dark and Lilia noticed the white scar. Blinking a few times with her right eye, she noticed that she hadn't suffered any lost of sight at it. But it gave a different look to her. Like she had grown, but not in height or size. But her eyes looked differently. Slowly her right hand touched the white scar, wondering about several things.

The sound of the rain pouring on the roof was heard as she did briefly glanced out of the window. It was dark outside and nobody in the small place she had taken refuge to, was likely outside. With her door closed, Lilia turned once more to look at her reflection in the mirror. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Then the cold anger came. Angry that she had been unable to stop her older sibling. Angry that she had failed a person again. First Jinkama, then Selia. How many more would follow?

Out of the need to cover as much of her face as she could, her right hand moved down to grab the cloth and put on her face mask. Somehow she could see a resemblance now with Zakito. The scar was on her right eye, but still. Maybe that was why her uncle wore a face mask most of the time? Cause he also had failed people and felt shame for that? Walking backwards, she couldn't hold herself. It happened in a flash. Glass shattered as her fist crashed against the mirror. For a moment, she felt something. It was weird, but it wasn't pain. It was just a tingeling sensation. Then the pain came as Lilia glanced at her hand. Blood was seen on some splinters of glass, but she felt not the need to cry or flinch. Walking to the bed, she dropped herself on her back and kept looking at her hand. For a moment she thought about to end it. After all, what was left of her 'life'? Lilia was nothing more than a filfthy lie. It was nothing more than a lie to cover up the truth.

To cover up Kiyomi.

Was there any meaning to Kiyomi? Did Kiyomi had anything in common with Lilia? It was maybe a strange train of thoughts, but for her, the name Kiyomi wasn't totally relevant to Lilia. Cause Lilia meant nothing. And apparently was nothing.
After she had managed to remove the glass splinters and bandaged her hand, she lied on the bed on her side. Feeling alone and craving for the need of being comforted, Lilia was too ashamed to think of anybody she could reach for. After all, if you were nothing, than you were of no value.

"A broken mirror is seven years of bad luck, you know."

The voice inside her mind caused Lilia to close her eyes. The fact he spoke didn't bother her. But she wasn't sure what he was aiming at. ''They say a lot of things are bad luck.'' Lilia reacted, trying to sound polite back. But the tone was rather neutral. It only made her feel more miserable as she wasn't able to react polite back. Something Matatabi always had done to her.

He grinned as she spoke and waited a while before speaking again. "But people still say breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck regardless." He responded.

Not able to try to be polite, Lilia opened her eyes and glanced out of the window. Ignoring the voice wasn't an option. ''Mata-sama, I am not in the mood for some fun talk.'' The response was barely more than a whisper, as if she was tired and weak at the moment.

"That's a coincidence! Me neither!" The cat responded humoristically, before sending her the sound of his obnoxiously loud purring.

''Fuck off.'' Lilia send back, not really pleased he thought he could mess with her. Closing her eyes, she clenched her hands into fists and wished she could be polite back to the Tailed Beast that had became a friend, guide and mentor for her. But at the current situation, she wasn't in the mood to goof around.

"I haven't tried that yet. Actually, I should try and find out to see if tailed beasts actually even can mate at all. I don't think so." He responded once more on a light tone. He was teasing her a bit, and he would continue doing so untill he had her full attention. Attention she now held on depressive thoughts.

At first she didn't respond. The thought of two Tailed Beast creating a smaller one by mating was at first really strange. Not to say funny, but she didn't laugh. ''Mata-sama...'' Lilia began, trying to word that she wasn't in the mood to be joking about things. Actually, they usually didn't joke about most things. They only talked when the need was for it. Other times, they could easily feel how the other was doing.

"Yes, Kiyomi-sama? Or do you prefer to be called Lilia still?" The big cat asked in response.

''Don't even try your luck.'' Lilia warned him. The question did made her think about it. But the name sounded strange. Who was she? And what was she? It was just confusing and depressing. She wanted actually the lie back. Back then it was just Lilia. Living under the guardianship of Hiron and Keiko. Just growing up. Kiyomi sounded like she had to face she had been living a lie.

"Well in my opinion you're as much Lilia as you are Kiyomi." He responded calmy. "Does it matter what name you carry, as long as it is used by the people you love? Everyone calls me the 'Two-Tails', while I am actually called Matatabi. The sage called me like that, my old friend called me like than, and you call me like that. Oh, and then you have that Kensuke-guy too. A name is but a name, and does not define you. Your mother may have called you Kiyomi when you were born, but you lived as Lilia for years. What you seem not to realize that Lilia and Kiyomi are one and the same person. It's like a backpack and a rucksack. Both the same thing. A name does not define something, it is only a means to talk about the true thing. I could call you raspberry pudding and that still wouldn't change who you are. Your life as Lilia is not a lie, as long as you don't see it like a lie. It was you all this time, why wouldn't it be you now?" The large cat philosophized about her name, and tried remembering the great philospophist of old's name about who the Sage had thought him almost half a century ago.

Listening to him, as she couldn't ignore him, Lilia thought about his words. ''Mind to come here?'' She requested back, still looking through the window outside. It was full moon outside, remembering her about a fact that she had read when she had been researching the information behind the Tailed Beasts. Some stories and facts mentioned that a Tailed Beast grew restless when it was full moon. But she doubted that fact as Matatabi always had been somebody she saw as a person that thought about his words and actions before acting.

"Ofcourse I mind. I'm not an adorable little fluffy kitten anymore." He said while jumping on the bed and claiming a place on the pillow, making the room's walls dance in the whimsical play of his blue burning fur.

Looking at the beautiful blue flames, Lilia managed to lighten up a bit. ''No, you're a dreadful beast of destruction.'' She responded with a mocking tone, earning her a loud rumbling grumble that was awfully disproportionate to the small cat on the pillow. Sighing, she closed her eyes and stayed quiet for a moment. ''I just don't feel so well. I wish I could save people, but in the end I just end up killing them.''

"Well I know that feeling allright. The first person I killed was someone stuck on a cliff, but when I offered him my tail to climb up I might have accidentally flattened him against the face of the cliff. It's nearly the same as shinobi helping people, right?" The cat answered. "Sometimes kiling someone IS helping them."

At first Lilia wanted to nod but then she looked with pure disgust. ''No that isn't-'' She started, but then realized something. Could she save somebody with healing them? Building them a home? No. Her shinobi techniques were about ending lives. Destroying things. Half closing her eyes, she then spoke. ''That is what a shinobi does... But am I just a shinobi? I thought..'' She didn't finish her sentence.

"Lilia, let me tell you a story. The sage told me that a long time ago, when mankind did not even have metal to forge its tools yet, when they only used their hands and teeth and all other things given to them by nature, that they learned how to fight, how to kill, in order to protect themselves from the bigger, larger and stronger beasts such as big cats for example. They didn't want the predators preying on their weak children and women, as they valued them. Ofcourse they eventually learned to hunt those creatures too, as they grew smarter and smarter, for food, but in this period before they did that, mankind fought to protect itself. To protect those persons valuable to them and their society. Now tell me what the difference is between then and now, in essence?"

The green eyes of Lilia stared at the small version of the Two Tails. Slowly she stretched her right hand and gently petted the back of Matatabi. ''There is none. But what worries me is that I can't do anything like really helping somebody without hurting something or somebody else. Without destroying something instead of building something. Its just that...'' She paused, letting out a soft sigh. ''I just don't get it. How many more secrets are there in store for me? I just want to follow my path. But every step I take, there are always things that try to pull me back. How much more do I have to endure?'' She asked with a weak voice, her fingers gently rubbing the neck of the cat before stroking the back.

"I can't tell you if there are more secrets in store for you somewhere, but I can tell you this. Don't let yourself be pulled back. Don't let yourself be dragged down by things you don't and know. Secondly, fighting to protect is the task you have been trained for. There is no way in which you only build and create a thing that also protects people as a shinobi. One way or another, protecting one leads to hurting another. That is the order of the world. To protect yourself from starvation you will hurt that poor cow, and to protect your friends from dying you will hurt your enemy, even if he only intends to hurt your friends because his would die if he wouldn't. It is the natural order of things." The beast said to her, standing up from the pillow and pushing his back against her hand while stretching out. "And about enduring. You will have to endure a lot more." He said on a serious tone, turning towards Lilia.

Then he bit her bandaged hand and jumped on the draperies, using his paws to climb up to the ceiling where the little girl has no chance of reaching him. "Yes, endure a lot more."

Yelping as he bite her, Lilia shot up a she almost raised her hand to punch the small flaming cat. Rubbing her hand that been bitten it did hurt, due the sharp fangs of Matatabi, Lilia glared at him. ''Annoying furbal.'' Glancing at her hand, she hissed a bit as she looked at the bandage. If it weren't for them, she would be bleeding again. ''What was that good for? I am listening and then you need to do that?'' She sneered at him. Though she knew that he didn't meant in a bad way, it was highly annoying and being in not the best mood, Lilia was quite annoyed by the bite. Calming down, she stood up to bandage her hand again. With her back to Matatabi, Lilia whispered something. ''I just wished that things were different.'' After she was done with patching up the bandage, she turned around and decided to lay on the bed again. Placing her head on the pillow, she noticed the full moon outside and felt uneasy.

''Do you want to tell me about one of your past friends? Were they.... like me or?'' Kiyomi asked on a soft tone as she looked at the ceiling where he was.

"Oh, he wasn't at all. He was a sturdier person than you, and had long brown hair in a ponytail. He had a generous smile and a glare only matched in intimidating power by mine. He was a man of principles, and let himself be guided by those. That's how he managed to contain me initially. His stubborn belief my escape would destroy his village and friends. After several years of enmity I realized that the full scale of his stubborn strenght, born out of a desire to protect and his principles easily outmatched my desire for freedom. That's when we became friends. Even though I was at that time between 310 and 350 years old, he never needed my advice. He was a methological thinker who used his princples to solve evry problem step by step. As a result, he always knew exactly what he had to do, and he did it. Once he knew what he had to do there was no stopping him unless you could convince him." He said, dropping from the ceiling onto her bed and curling up.

"And believe me. You'd have an easier time hewing down a tree with your teeth than that." He said with a nostalgic tint to his voice. "As years progressed we grew closer together untill we were two sides of a single person. We didn't need to communicate to do something, we just did it, somehow magically. That made it even more hilarious when he fell in love and met his wife. Three kids, all youtful, innocent and especially very annoying. Those were the easier days. Despite living amidst the warring states period and holding a tailed beast, he lived in peace. It was known that he controlled me perfectly as other humans put it, and noone dared attack. Untill a now extinct clan decided to have him fight for them by holding his family hostage. He was a man of principles ofcourse, and wouldn't have it. He rebelled, and they systematically killed his family as he confronted their leader, one by one, and stabbed him as he stood there, broken. He didn't want to move, so I did what I never had to do with him, break free. Despite my chakra healing him, they kept stabbing him as he stood there, unwilling to believe what had happened. I was being thorn between experiencing his crushing sadness and attempting to avenge his family, but in the end, he died, and I died with him." He continued, the tone of his voice gradually turning less vivid and more monotone.

"I then spent 40 years regenerating my body, cell by cell. Excruciating pains I suffered untill I was reborn, only to find my last memory be his death. A few years later the Kuzuruwa clan ceased existing when their hidden fortress was consumed by a storm of nature. That was the first time I actively attacked human beings out of my own desire. Their screams were music to my ears, their blood a soothing salve that seemed to pump life into my own. Even the innocent villagers living in their fort, taking care of the crops, they all fell as wheat before a scythe as my claws reduced their existence to stains on the rubble. After that I spent some years at that place, mourning. My memories from that time are a bit vague, and I remember feeling guilty I killed every living being in that fortress, as he certainly wouldn't have approved of that. As I told you, he was a man of principles."

She was very silent. It was very rare when Matatabi was open like this and while he was close to her, she didn't pet him. Her bright green eyes were staring at him as he told the story. Lilia wasn't sure if it was the bond they had or because he was sealed inside her, but she had the feeling that she could feel the sorrow he had. But there was another feeling, that was likely her own. She was a bit jealous. The way how Matatabi had spoken about this man, who had won his respect and sounded like a great person. For a moment, she wondered why he was sticking around with her. She only did what she thought was right. Was that the same as the man with his principles? Feeling a bit uneasy, Lilia thought about the story he had told her. ''Mata-sama, I... am sorry.'' She began. Her voice was soft and she felt actually guilty. Placing a hand over her stomach, she couldn't watch the majestic blue flames of the beast.

''I truly am.'' She whispered as she wished she could somehow reunite Matatabi with his friend. Maybe he would be happy then. Cause was he even happy? Being stuck within a young girl that wildly went on adventures and always ended up in situations she didn't want to end up in. Not to forgot that they weren't the same on many things. ''Mata-sama, I.. Why do you like me? You told me several times that you...'' She stopped, not sure how to continue her question.

"Don't be sorry." He replied softly, before she asked why he liked her. For a moment he felt inclined to tell her, but he wasn't entirely sure himself yet. Not certain enough to tell her yet. In any case, he mused, he had told her enough about himself for today. "Because you are stupid." He said, launching himself so he would land straight on top of her face. Yes, that's what she needed in her current condition, he thought as he clamped himself around her face. A mouthful of delicious blue burning hairs. THE solution to identity problems.

Muttering words, she clawed him, trying to get him off her face. ''Get... Get.. off me!'' She hissed as she finally managed to get the cat off her with a throw. Huffing she had several scratches on her face and glared in his direction. ''Fuck off.'' She told him as she turned her back to him and placed her head again on the pillow. Though she knew better. The fact he hadn't told her why he liked her, would keep her up. Not to mention the full moon. Pulling her legs up, she was getting the feeling she was getting it cold even with having her clothes on. ''I like you cause you seem to be always there for me. Cause you try to understand me. Or at least give me the idea, Mata-sama.'' Lilia said, still having her back turned to him.

Thinking about the past, she sighed as she closed her eyes. How badly she wished to be able to sleep. That cursed moon. ''I wish that I could make you happy.'' The whisper was more to herself than aimed at Matatabi as she continued to think about what she had learned.

I was hearthwarming she wanted to make him happy, but her condition was simply troubling. Ofcourse he was there for her what choice did he have, right? Otherwise he'd be stuck with depressed and identity-less person who hated herself. That was why he helped, right? Ofcourse not, he liked her because she was just like his old friend. Maybe she didn't realize what her principles were yet, or if she even had any, but once Lilia was set on a path, she would go for it, without a chance of stopping her. The only difference was that she wasn't shy of asking guidance where he always solved things on his own, which is not at all something that disappointed him. At least now he wouldn't have to keep whispering suggestions in his host's ear anymore. Lilia found other persons to bugger for that.

"You know what would make me happy?"

It stayed quiet for some time. Lilia heard the question and she wondered if he was either trying to goof around or really trying to connect with her. Rolling on her back she looked at him. It still took a moment before she responded to his question. ''What then?'' She asked in a soft voice, a bit curious what the answer would be.

"Scratch my neck will you?"

Again it became quiet as she heard the answer. Then Lilia grabbed one of the pillows and hurled it towards him. ''Damn you.'' She mumbled as she turned her back again towards him. Lilia pouted as she felt a bit disappointed that he had given such a response, but was more disappointed that she had felt for that. Realizing something, she could recall that Kensuke also had been troubled by the son of Matatabi during his depression. ''Joking around when somebody isn't happy, won't make them always happier. I am not Ken-senpai.'' Lilia said pulling her legs up again.

"Luckily you aren't. I didn't like the look of his smug face anyways. And that sword. The only time as a tailed beast I have ever been hurt, but really hurt, was by some swordsman, 250 years ago. He felt exceptionally brave and rammed it in my toe as I was sleeping." The cat continued after dodging the pillow. She was incorrigable, but he had handled more stubborn people. Such as a certain man he expected that would be watching right now, nodding with a wry smile, thinking about when he had done the same to him.

''Smart ass.'' Lilia mumbled as she tried to sleep, but still couldn't. Then she had enough of it. Sighing out loud, she turned over and decided to rise up from bed. Walking past Matatabi, she went to the window and stared for a few moments to the moon. Why was it that she had trouble sleeping when it was full moon? What was with it anyways? It was like it was calling out for her, but she knew she couldn't reach for it. Very annoying. It made her restless as she gained the feeling to focus her frustation on something. Or somebody. ''Mata-sama, what is with the moon?'' Lilia asked as she shot a look in his direction, only to realize he wouldn't be serious and shook her head. Like if he would give an answer that would help her right now? Turning to the bed, she took the same position, her back turned to the beast.

Well how was he supposed to say anything even close to constructive to that. What is with the moon. Like he knew what was bothering the moon? Maybe it had an itch, and the next asteroid was still miles away? He would shke his head if he weren't a cat, so instead he used the bench as a scratching post and sharpened his claws on them. A cat had to take care of itself, right? So he continued to ignore Lilia and let her have some time alone to stare at the moon while he licked his paws to ensure that his freshly sharpened claws would look absolutely dashing.

''Shall I scratch your neck then?'' Lilia suddenly mumbled. She still laid on her side, her back towards Matatabi as she pondered on several things. Slowly she sighed as she turned around. It was really bothering her that she couldn't get some sleep. Even more with the events of the previous day.

"Oh, yes please, that'd make me very happy!" He said, and started purring as she commenced. And she did when he came closer. But instead of only scratching his neck, she slowly laid an arm around him. Though the flames didn't hurt or gave any warmth, she felt less alone when he was near her like that. Gently scratching his neck, her eyes half closed, she felt the urge to say something. What was on her mind, but decided against it. Instead, she said something very different.

''I think that I will be taking up my birthname. I think that it has a nice ring to it. Ki-yomi.'' She said, saying the name in parts. It was really to her liking. Besides, maybe it the time for a new start? Instead of scratching his neck, she more or less massaged it with her hand. ''I...'' Before she said the second word, she felt the need to stop. Like if Matatabi would return the words or take it serious at all. ''I am happy that you're here.'' She said instead of what she really felt and wanted to say.

The cat simply nodded in response and kept pushing his neck against her hand. He didn't care how he had to call her really. As long as he had a name which he could call her to he was content. It was even better if she liked the name herself. Thereby, there was a source of thorough enjoyment in his neck and he intended to enjoy that. A loud purring sound filled the room, and for a moment he lost control and it sounded like a swarm of grasshoppers, before he coughed and started purring like a normal cat again. "My bad."

A little smile was forming on her lips as he excused himself. She continued to scratch his neck. It amazed her every time that she could just touch the blue flames without fearing that they would burn her. But she knew from her research that it was likely because her body had grown to his chakra. Wondering what it would do to other living material that wasn't grown to his chakra, Kiyomi shook the thought off mentally. ''Its fine.''' She told him as she brought herself closer to him. Even thought the flames offered no warmth, she felt secured with the knowledge he was close by her. It was like they were driving away the dark thoughts that had occupied her mind before.

[Little Alice]

To the Sato's!
Confronting the truth of one's origins.

A collab between Fieryfly and Alice.

SPOILER: Click to show

Looking at the distance, she could see the gates. Dressed in her new casual outfit, with a cape and hood, Kiyomi calmly walked towards the entrance of the Cloud village. Her bright green eyes were looking with a calm expression as she kept walking towards the main gate. There she had little trouble to get pass the guarding shinobi. After showing a certain letter, she managed to enter Kumogakure. Once inside, she sighed and looked at what sitting on top of her left shoulder. ''Seems like we made it.'' Kiyomi mumbled. Her companion just nodded as he looked around. Kiyomi also looked around, trying to remember where the house was of the person she knew and wanted to visit. ''Shall I ask around, Thunderstone-sama?'' Kiyomi asked, but noticed that the ferret had vanished from her shoulder. Feeling something move, she noticed he had made it comfortable in her shoulderbag. Like usual. ''Hahaha, fine.'' Petting his head, she looked around. Maybe she should. Walking to a stand that sold peaches, Kiyomi asked where she could find Midori Sato. Unlike what she had expected, the man smiled and seemed to be more than happy to talk about the 'Savior of Kumogakure'. It made Kiyomi blink a few times with her eyes, as she wasn't sure if that was genuine or sarcasm.

As she walked to the given direction, she started to wonder. Midori was like her a Jinchuriki, a capable kunoichi, but to be called the 'Savior of Kumogakure'. Had Midori surpassed Kiyomi like that? How far had she fallen behind her claimed rival? But it made her happy. It meant that Midori was praised and respected among the people of the Cloud. That was at least something positive. As she neared the house of where Chie and Midori Sato lived, Kiyomi knocked on the door and took a step back. While waiting, she was glad that she hadn't taken Samehada with her. At least, not carrying it around. Knowing that the sentient weapon was fond of 'tasting' powerful chakra and that Midori was Jinchuriki, she wouldn't like it to have it whine and hiss all the time. In fact, she hoped that she could keep Matatabi-sama also silent. This was just about her and her questions. And Midori of course!

The knock echoed through the house and there was a moment of silence. Then someone came stumbling down the stairs. The said person nearly tripped over her own feet, fell forward, managed to catch herself and stop just before the door. Then she opened it. Midori's green eyes peeked through the opening and lit up when they saw who it was. She opened the door futher and removed the black hoodie from her hair, making the orange locks bounce up. "Hey." She said. "I didn't know you were in Kumogakure." She stepped back into the hall, her bare feet make practically no sound on the wood. "Come in, what are you doing here Lilia?"

Smiling as she noticed a change from how Midori had acted before, when Ino had died, Kiyomi stepped in. ''Sorry, should've written you a letter in advance. It was just.. a bit of a sudden. I hope that I am not disturbing anything.'' Lilia told Midori as she turned around to take a look at Midori again. Brushing a lock of light orange hair aside, to the back of her ear, Kiyomi was glad to see Midori like that until she remembered she had something for her. ''Oh oh! I have something for you. Hope you'll like it!'' Kiyomi let out in an enthousatic manner. Opening her shoulderbag, Thunderstone glanced at Midori, but wasn't going out of the shoulderbag as Kiyomi reached to pick out a small scroll. Holding it in her right hand, Kiyomi beamed. ''Hope you'll like this... Written it all down, just for you!'' She then stretced her hand out with the scroll. A scroll that contained on how to perform the Sparkle Technique.

Midori's mouth formed an 'o' when she accepted the present. Carefully she opened it and read the content. She was silent for a while. Then her eyes dropped. "I am not... Thanks for the present. It is great, but... I am still not sure if..." Midori played with the strings on her hoodie. "Oh and you are not interupting." She quickly changed the subject as she gestured for Lilia to come in. "I can make tea if you want. Just put your shoes there." She waved to the place where all the shoes were standing while she put the scroll in the pocket of her hoodie and walked into the hall towards the kitchen.

Kiyomi wanted to say that she should try it before already acting like that, but it seemed Midori wouldn't press it on. Following Midori, after putting out her shoes, Kiyomi smiled and nodded. ''That would be nice. Thank you Midori-chan. Though may I ask if you could help me with some questions?'' Kiyomi asked in a very polite manner. As she would follow Midori, she would look around, to take in what kind of home Midori lived in. Was this how the Sato clan lived like, Kiyomi wondered.

"Sure, if I can answer them..." Midori said as she rummaged around with the teapot and water. "Because I am really not sure..." She put the teabag in the pot and poured the hot water over it. The smell of lemon tea filled the room. Standing on her toes Midori managed to grab the honey from the upper shelf along with two cups. She placed the cups, honey and the pot on a tray and brought it over to the table before sitting down on the chair opposing Lilia. "Want honey with that?" She asked.

''I'm already glad you want to help me out. It's been a bit of a hassle to already come here. Am glad that you're at least home.'' Kiyomi replied with a friendly tone. She looked around as she had already taken a seat. All kind of questions ran through her mind as she couldn't help but to wonder about some things. The Sato clan, Midori and much more. But she wouldn't have the time to get answers on all her questions. Besides, she had asked for some time for answers she truly wanted. Not wanting to break her promise with Hisoka, certainly not with Thunderstone around or her new duty, Kiyomi decided to begin the conversation with an answer and a question. ''Yes please. May I ask some things about the Sato Clan? If it doesn't bother you, that is.'' Kiyomi asked in a very pleasant manner.

"I'm home a lot..." Midori mumbled against her tea. She poured more honey in it and tried another sip. The sweet taste filled her mouth. Lilia's question however made her lower the cup. She wanted to know about the Sato clan? She tilted her head sideways, almost the she had done before all the stuff happened. Before everything had become complicated. "Eh, sure? What do you want to know?" She asked her friend while she wondered why Lilia wanted to know something about that.

That was question on which Kiyomi had to think about. Taking a sip of her tea, she felt something creeping up her legs. Thunderstone decided it was better to lay on her lap. Or was it because he wanted to remind her of that she shouldn't get off track. ''I'm looking for a person. I've been to Maiden's Rest. A truly amazing scene... I noticed there a statue.'' Kiyomi told Midori, with a happy tone. She wasn't sad about what she had learned then. No, she had made peace with the past. ''I want to know who Shunso Sato is, you see. Just became a bit curious after reading the pedistal of the amazing statue.'' Kiyomi told Midori, taking another sip of her warm tea.

For a second time Midori looked surprised to Lilia. Maiden's rest? That was a far away place Midori had only visited once with her dad. But it was beautiful and she had always remembered it. Her father had been sad though. Midori remembered that. He was sad and she hadn't been able to figure out why. She still didn't know. Luckly she knew the answer to Lilia's question, though it was a peculiar one. "Heh? Shunso? Why do you want to know something about my dad?" She asked confused. She didn't even know how Lilia knew the name of her dad, but she was pretty sure that he was the only Shunso in the clan at the moment, unless a lot of babies with that name had been born in five years.

Her father? Kiyomi didn't reveal any emotions as she wondered and almost got lost in thoughts. Thunderstone poked her stomach softly, as he was aware she was drifting off in thoughts. It disturbed the train of thoughts. ''Because... He is the one I need for answers. I-I-Is your mother here?'' Kiyomi asked, in a more hushed tone. She already was expecting this wasn't going to be like what she had expected at first. Seemed it was going to be revelation for others as well.

Midori was frowning now. This was weird. "Yes, my mom is home. She is upstairs. It is still pretty early so she is probably still sleeping. I was going to bring her tea." Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you need my dad?" She asked. "Or my mom?" Her fingers clenched around the cup before her. "What is going on? What answers do you need?" Her questions were nothing like the former motormouth questions that Midori would have shot at Lilia. Ever since her Midori had not been fond of being in the dark when it came to things that were going on. It never ended well if she didn't know what was going on. That was what had happened with him...

Kiyomi lowered her teacup as she looked back with a calm expression. She was weighing the options. Either to put Midori on a wrong track or tell the truth. But if Shunso was indeed Midori's father, then that meant they were half sisters. They had the same father. ''You're the sister of Kiyomi Sato, Midori. I found out about it some time ago. It's nothing bad, but I want to find Shunso, to learn more about Kiyomi. It would mean a lot to me.'' The younger girl replied, hoping that Midori wouldn't get upset or even mad at the answer.

"W-w-what?" Of all the things Lilia could have said, this was not something Midori had expected. Totally lost she looked to the girl before her. "What?" She said again. "I don't... Heh? I don't have a sister Lilia. I don't know a Kiyomi. You must be mistaken." There was no way that could be right. Maybe Lilia was indeed talking about another Shunso.

There was movement at the door and Midori looked up only to find her mother standing there. The woman had a calm expression on her face, but Midori noticed that it was different then the usual calm expressions she wore. "Ah.. I... I was going to.." Midori said, gesturing back and forth between Lilia and her mother. Her mother smiled. "It's fine Midori." She said. "This is Lilia Hon I pressume?"

Looking at the woman, Kiyomi figured that this was Midori's mother. It felt strange. Knowing with what she had learned, she had the idea that this also could be her mother. But somehow it didn't fit. Slowly nodding, Kiyomi wanted to say that Lilia was actually dead. But something was holding her back. Like if the woman had an aura that she couldn't explain. It was like how Kiyomi felt calm with seeing Matatabi's blue flames. ''Good day, sorry if I came without letting you know, madame.'' Kiyomi responded to the woman on a respectful tone, as if she was a kage or a daimyo.

"It is nice to meet you. Midori... talked a lot about you." Chie said. She walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Carefully she poured herself some tea. Midori stared to her fingers and offered her mother honey which the woman waved away, saying that it was too sweet for so early in the morning. "So, Lilia Hon, why exactly are you looking for my husband?" She asked politely as she took a tiny sip of her tea to test how warm it was before placing the cup down again.

Thinking for a brief moment about an answer, she petted Thunderstone, who was still on her lap. ''Because I want answers... I want to meet Shunso Sato.'' Kiyomi began, with a cautious tone. Then she looked down to her cup. ''I want to meet... my real father.'' She told Chie, clenching the hand she used around her cup. She wasn't exerting too much force, but she felt a bit ashamed. Coming as a surprise and then just throwing information and questions like this wasn't how she was raised. Ashamed, she didn't have the courage to look back at Chie or Midori.

Chie was silent for a while and it irked Midori. She had no clue what was going on. First Lilia was looking for a Kiyomi because that was her sister and then she said that Shunso was her father, but that was not possible because, firstly, she had no sisters, or brothers for that matter, and, secondly, Lilia was a Hon not a Sato. She looked up to her mother. "Mom?"

Chie closed her eyes. "I would like to know the name of your mother, Lilia. If I am allowed to ask that." She said then.

Nodding, Kiyomi looked up. Still feeling a bit ashamed, it was slowly ebbing away. It was just like those other peope. Eiji-san, Hiron-chan, Keiko-chan... Granny Akira Moto. Chie had that special gift to calm her down. ''Ilia Hon, miss Sato.'' Kiyomi told Chie, wondering if she knew the truth. Or could confirm it was the truth. It was a scary thought to meet somebody that could confirm something you were looking for. To confirm answers you were seeking. Answers to questions that could drive a person bitter, mad and sad.

"But that is..." Midori started as she looked to her mother. "That is her, right? I mean... the statue... and.." Chie let go of her cup and Midori stopped talking even though she was pretty sure she was right. The name on the statue in Maiden's rest was Ilia Hon. May she rest in peace knowing that she was loved, or something like that was ingraved with her name, MIdori remembered. That was Lilia's mom?

"I see," Chie said. She folded her hand together and looked through the window to the sky. There was another short silence then Chie spoke again. "Midori, isn't it time you go out and see your father?" She asked her daughter.

"B-but.. I can't just go. I'm not... not ready. I'm not a great ninja yet. I can't leave..."

Chie gave her daughter a stroke over her head. "I'll be fine. I'm doing better, remember? No need for you to be here all the time. I can look after myself. And you are doing better as well and you know it."

Midori stared stubbornly to her glass as if she could force it to move with her gaze. She knew what her mother meant, but she didn't like it. Of course, she had ben able to find her father much earlier. It was not like he was lost. He was just traveling. But she hadn't been able to go. She couldn't leave her mom like that, but now her mother was telling her to go. Sure, she wanted to see her dad, but could she really just leave?

Chie turned back to Lilia. "I cannot answer your questions. Shunso has to do that himself. I hope you can understand my position Lilia..." She said. "However you are in luck. This time of the year the clan is supposed to be relatively close to Kumogakure. I'm sure with a good guide you can find them."

Kiyomi had been silent as she listened to Chie and Midori. The way the woman answered, made it clear. She knew something. Opening her mouth, Kiyomi started with a rather bitter tone in her voice. ''Miss Sato, I want to-'' Kiyomi felt a poke again against her stomach. Thunderstone still laid as if he was asleep, but she could hear his voice. ''Lilia..'' The way he pronounced that name, while already knowing she carried a different one made Kiyomi lower her head. ''I want to thank you for welcoming me today. Next time, I shall make sure to give you a heads up if I will come again. Miss Sato.'' Kiyomi said, with a more respectful tone. Glancing in Midori's direction, Kiyomi hoped that Midori would come with her. Maybe she could use some answers from Shunso too?

Midori bit on her lip. Her mother knew something about this sister thing, but she wasn't telling it. Midori wanted to know what it was, but to know it she would have to go out and find her dad. She had delayed that for so long now that she wasn't sure if she wanted to go.

No, she had decided a long time ago that she wanted to see her dad again. And recent events had brought her mind back to this idea. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to go. Go with Lilia. That had a good ring to it.

"That is fine Lilia." Chie said. "I hope you do understand the problem you brought to this home." She took another sip from her tea.

Midori in the meanwhile had made up her mind and looked up to Lilia. "I'll come with you, if that is okay. I am pretty sure I know how to find... my dad."

Kiyomi's hands slowly formed into fists. Problems she had brought to this home? She wasn't sure what that meant, but she felt like she was the one to blame. Didn't Selia also claim that? That the death of Ilia, their mother, was her blame? She didn't want to acknowledge what Chie said. Rather, she wanted to sneer and even let the woman feel her anger. ''I understand it, Miss Sato-san.'' The words came out, much as a surprise for her. Deciding that she would take her leave, Kiyomi rose up, Thunderstone leaping of her. ''I thank you for welcoming me this moment into your home. I'll take my leave, if that is granted.'' Kiyomi said with a polite tone. Though without a bow, as she hadn't been raised to bow to somebody she didn't acknowledge yet as a superior. The words of Chie still kept bothering the mind of the young Hon, who kept trying to figure out what the woman meant with those words.

Chie gave Midori a look. "How about you start packing?" Midori recognized that tone and dutifully got up from her chair. She gave Lilia a smile and ran out of the room, leaving the door open. Through the dooropening a little dog entered that looked questioning around. With its brown dopey eyes it looked to Thunderstone and hupped over to the creature.

Chie got up as well facing Lilia. She gave the girl a good look. Her words had been unfair and she realized that. This child was not to blame. Not for anything. It was wrong to think that. Gently she placed a hand on Lilia's shoulder. "I'm sorry Lilia. That was inconsiderate. You have to forgive me. Some things in life are more complicated then we might think. There rests no blame on you. Please understand that and keep that in mind. Always." She coughed, but smiled to LIlia.

''Kiyomi..'' Was what the girl said in response. She was a bit calmer, but still felt a bit ashamed and hurt by the earlier words of Chie. She could understand why the woman had said it, but it still hurt. Something crept up on her as it then nestled it on her left shoulder. ''It's my real name. And... thanks. I know.'' Kiyomi said. There were still things she wanted to ask and talk with Chie, but to bother the woman with it wouldn't be fair. Like her, she hadn't asked for this. It was time to look for Shunso. Though there was one question she wanted to ask, one that she couldn't keep hidden to herself. ''Miss Sato-san, do think I shouldn't been born?''

Chie sighed. It was no wonder that the child would think this way. Carefully Chie bended through her knees so that she was on the same level as Kiyomi. "Kiyomi, listen very carefully. There is no reason, no reason what so ever that I might think that it was wrong for you to have been born. Everyone deserves to be born. So no, you should have been born. Don't even think that it was wrong."

Slowly nodding, the young girl felt a bit comforted. But she wasn't sure if the woman was just friendly or actually meaning her words. Thunderstone looked down with a neutral glance at the dog. At the safe height and place of Kiyomi's shoulder, the ferret wouldn't be bothered by the dog. Though he kept his eyes at the furred creature that had entered the room. ''I think I'll take my leave then. Thanks, Miss Sato-san. For your kind words and hospitality.''

In an act of motherly kindness and habit Chie gave Kiyomi a stroke over her cheek and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "You should wait for my daughter to finish. It will be good for her to see her father again. Be sure to protect her for me, okay?" She asked Kiyomi. At the same time Pear started barking at Thunderstone and Chie dropped her gaze and laughed. "Ssh Pear, nothing wrong with having another creature in the house. We still love you."

Kiyomi felt something warm in her stomach. The words of Chie had a comforting effect on her. Just when Keiko comforted her after when she had nightmare or such. Almost like a hug of Hiron. ''I will keep her safe. Promised.'' Kiyomi said, before she glanced at the dog. Thunderstone stayed on her shoulder, clearly not planning on meeting the dog on the ground. Kiyomi softly patted the ferret, knowing he wouldn't like it if they would linger too long. ''He looks cute.'' Kiyomi said with a smile. Though she wanted to pet the dog, it would mean she had to bend her legs and it would make it easier for Pear to reach Thunderstone. ''But, do you know where we can find Shu- I mean, your husband?''

"He is an attention seeker." Chie said as she ruffled Pear's fur. The dog tried to lick her fingers, totally distracted by the petting. "Your ferret is quite cute too." She said smiling as she shot another look to the creature on Kiyomi's shoulder. "As for my husband," With a bit of efford she straigthened up. Pear danced around her feet. "I'm pretty clear on their traveling scedule, so the location shouldn't be too hard to find. Midori knows it too. It is not like their are hiding or something."

As she said that Midori entered the room again, a backpack slung over her left shoulder. She was still wearing the hoodie, but had put on some new pants and a pair of new shoes. Somehow that felt right to do. She was going out to meet her father after all. Thinking about it felt unreal. She hadn't seen him for, what, almost 6 years? "I've packed." She announced to her mother.

"Did you pack an extra set of clothes?" Her mother asked and Midori nodded. "And some basic supplements?" Again Midori nodded. Of course, she had packed all that. It was basic stuff. She looked to Lilia. "I'm ready." She said to her friend and she was serious. She was ready to meet her dad and ready to go out again. She had been inside for a long time now.

Nodding back to Midori, Kiyomi glanced at Chie, but she had already said goodbye and thanks. Flashing a genuine smile, she took a step back before turning towards Midori. It felt a bit strange. She had always seen Midori as a rival, a friend and now she was actually a part of her family. Would it be appropiate to call Midori now her sister? Would she want that as well? It were questions and thoughts that Kiyomi managed to push to the back of her head. First she had to see her father. A person and a moment she had always longed for. ''Then lead the way.'' Kiyomi replied to Midori, feeling a nervous feeling now in her stomach.

Midori kneeled down to hug Pear. The dog licked her face and Midori giggled. She mumbled something against the dog and then let the creature go before hugging her mother. "You say hi to him for me okay?" Her mother whispered in Midori's ear and the girl nodded. "I'm proud of you."

Midori pulled away and turned back to Lilia before nodding. "Let's go." She said softly. For a moment her hand went to her stomach as she pondered about the beast that was silent there, but then she shove that out of her mind and opened the door. Today was a day for travels. "We will travel east." She said. "It will take a while so I hope you have packed."

''I've my stuff prepared. I usually have sealed them in preparation. Travels easier and lighter. Or I just have became a bit lazier.'' Kiyomi said, trying to keep up a light mood as she would follow Midori. Kiyomi noticed that her hand, which she used to pet Thunderstone, was pushed gently back. Wondering what she had said or done wrong, she heard him mumbling something. It was too soft to really hear it, but she had a clear idea what it was about. ''You're indeed not cute, but amazing.'' Kiyomi whispered back, on a honeyed tone. A playful smile adored her lips as she winked at the ferret, who then retreated back to her shoulder bag. At least there he could keep himself warm and comfy. And protected against people who call him cute or adorable.

---

The traveling had actually gone pretty easy, Midori thought as she landed on one of the branches of the trees they had been traveling through and paused for a second to orientate herself. They should be close now, she thought as she climbed the tree to get a better overview. The pattern that the Sato Clan followed was etched in her memory. She had been forced to learn it when she was little, as were all the children of their clan. It was very useful, but Midori remembered how annoying she had found it to learn it by heart. Arriving at the top of the tree Midori looked around and spotted when she was looking for.

Smoke.

She swung down the tree and looked over to Li- Kiyomi. "We are nearly there." She said. "Now we only have to hope that my dad is there too."

Kiyomi had stopped, standing on a branch as she waited for Midori to report in. The nervous feeling had faded a bit, as she had quite fun with Midori. It had been too long since they had done something together. Though it wasn't that strange. They were from two other and non-allied villages. Likely, Midori was also on some watch because she was a jinchuriki. The same as Kiyomi. It made her wonder how great the bond was between the Hachibi and Midori. Good, as her and Matatabi? Or maybe better? Her thoughts were disturbed as Midori said they were close by. The nervous feeling in her stomach came back as she heard the second sentence of Midori. ''Y-Yeah, lets hope so.'' Kiyomi tried to answer back with a confident tone.

Midori shot Kiyomi a look. She didn't look so good, but Midori wasn't quite sure how to make her feel better. Best way was probably by getting there and finding her dad. Midori still had trouble understanding what exactly was going on, but she figured that she would figure that out as soon as they would get there. She was nervous herself too. It had been long since she had been with her clan. They would hardly know her. They wouldn't know the issues... they wouldn't know that that Hachibi... Midori bit her lip. Still they were the people she loved. Not thinking about it Midori took Kiyomi's hand. Confidence for Kiyomi and for herself. "Let's go." She said as she jumped forwards.

They would find the camp next to a dirty sandy road on the middle of some open fields that were surrounded by trees. Flocks of sheep were grazing and horses were moving around among them. About two dozen tents were visible on the side of the field, people moving around them, cooking, talking, working. Midori smiled as she saw it and took a deep breath. "You're ready?" She asked Kiyomi.

Kiyomi squeezed softly in Midori's hand. ''I am.'' She said back on a hushed tone. Looking around, she was very curious to the Sato Clan. How they lived. What they did. It was very different from the Hon Clan as it seemed that the Sato clan was a whole different world. Where the Hon's were living in either the compound in Konoha or in the Hon estate, their places always had something of a stronghold. Like they were protecting themselves against others. The first impression of the Sato's was very different. It seemed like they already welcomed her in her midst. The fact that she and Midori could near their encampment this close surprised Kiyomi already. ''Are you sure that they will receive us?'' Kiyomi decided to ask, while keeping her eyes on the camp. It just felt a bit odd to Kiyomi.

Confused by the question Midori stared at Kiyomi. "Why wouldn't they?" She asked. Then something dawned on her and her mouth formed an 'o'. Then she shook her head. "Li- Kiyomi, Sato's are not ninja's." She said. "Well, I am, but that was... complicated and stuff. But they aren't like ninja clans or anything. Sato's are travellers and traders."

She dragged Kiyomi along past the sheep and the horses towards the camp. Several people looked up as the duo approached but most went on with their business. One of the men, dressed in brown leather and with a long black ponytail, walked up to them. Midori halted and smiled. "What brings two young girls here?" The man asked before Midori could speak. "Lost in the wildernis?"

Midori shook her head. "No, we are looking for my dad Shunso."

The man looked pondering at her, but then something seemed to dawn on him and he smiled. "Midori... that was it right? You have grown!" He stretched out his hand and Midori hit it softly with her palm before shaking it. "I'm sure Yukiko and the rest would love to see you again." Midori's grin got bigger. She had missed this, she suddenly realized. She had missed the people.

"B-but I need to see my dad first. It's... well I mean I haven't seen him for a long time and.." She said stuttering slightly.

The tall man ruffled her hair, which she did not appreciate. "He is here, don't worry. Far tent on the east." He waved towards his left and Midori nodded before turning to Kiyomi and dragging her along further into the camp.

If Midori wasn't with her, Kiyomi knew that it wouldn't be this easy. She noticed how the people lived. It was really a different world. Not as much as in how friendly the Sato clan seemed like. But the way they lived. In the Hon esate, the horses were kept in stables. She noticed a man brushing his horse, in the open. No stable was spotted nearby. Did the man had a special bond with the horse? The bright green eyes kept scanning with a curious look around. She noticed three children, probably around the age of nine, chasing a young sheep. They seemed to have so much freedom. A bit of jealousy grew in Kiyomi. Her youth was really different. Even the regular member of the Hon clan didn't had so much freedom as these kids seemed to have. Was this the better life? Kiyomi however shook the thoughts off her. She had to focus. As Midori dragged her further into the camp, Kiyomi asked her a question. ''Is it always like... this?'' Kiyomi asked on a curious tone, glancing around them.

Midori hadn't even really looked at what was going on. She had been living it for ten years and was able to almost slip back into it on sight. "Uh, yeah, I guess." She said. "It is not really that much different then when I left I guess." She circled around a man that was carrying a dead deer and wanted to stop to pet one of the dogs that were laying next to one of the tents, but she didn't. Finally she halted before one of the tent and gulped. She knew this tent. This had been her home for a long time. The red and yellow colors were dimmer then she remembered, but besides that the patterns were still the same. Outside a small fire burned.

For a moment Midori didn't move, she just stared. Maybe this was a bad idea. Her hand went to her stomach again. Nothing could go wrong, she assured herself. Absolutely nothing. She cleared her throat and stepped forwards. There was no such thing as knocking on tent doors so she simply pushed the cloth that shielded Shunso from the world away and entered the tent like she had done a thousand of times before.

In the middle of the tent right next to another small fire sat a man. He was muscular and tanned with short cropped dark orange hair. His clothes were made of dark blue wool with several white patterns on it. He was busy mending something when the two entered and he looked up. His green eyes, the same color as Midori, first looked confused and then widened. Abruptly he got up, showing that he was actually quite tall, and he quickly stepped forwards.

"Hey da-" Midori couldn't even finish her words because Shunso picked her up and hugged her. He twirled her around and laughed. Midori laughed too and then suddenly she was crying. It was weird because she wasn't sad. She wasn't sad at all, but she was still crying. With his rough hands Shunso brushed her tears away. "Hey hey don't cry." He said.

"You are crying." Midori said pouting back to him.

"Am not." Shunso said, quickly cleaning his own face. "Am so not. But Midori... you've grown so much. I... How did you... Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"

Midori wrapped her legs around his middle and smiled through her tears. "Surprise and also something else...." Her eyes went back to the entance of the tent, to Kiyomi. "I brought someone with me."

Standing still, Kiyomi looked with a confused look in Shunso's direction. Her left hand trembled a bit. This was her father? The one that shared the same kind of blood as she did? The one that had conceived her? The one she had longed to meet? Looking at the man's eyes, she could see a bit of herself in it. No, that wasn't true. She felt strange. It was a bit of anger, happyness as sorrow. It was strange and Kiyomi didn't like it. She thought she had grown and managed to control her emotions. It had been important to learning to control Matatabi's chakra. But this was even harder. This man, was the one she had been wondering about for a long time. And she had found him. Not five meters away, she had found the person she had been thinking, dreaming and wondering about. It was really strange.

''I hate you.'' Kiyomi said on a soft tone. It wasn't produced by an angry tone, more by a sad one. Lowering her head, she felt that her whole body started to tremble. But not because of what was sealed inside her. Matatabi would likely knew better than to interfere now. ''You... you.. I hate you.'' She whispered now again. She wanted to slap him. This man had haunted her thoughts, as a faceless person. A nameless person. Now the person of the thoughts had both a name and a face. It was just surreal. Kiyomi felt like sneering at him, wanting to beat him up, making him feel miserable. He was the one to blame for the fact her earlier life had been nothing but a whole messed up lie. Thirteen years. Nothing more than lies and people deceiving her. Why was he any different?

''Why did my mother love you? Why?'' She asked, looking up with a cold look. Luckily his features were nowhere as close to that of Hiron. She couldn't relate a person she loved with him. So that was a good, right? She wavered a bit, but the anger grew. She started to think what she hated the most about him. Was it the way he looked? No, that was too similiar to that of Midori. Maybe his hair? No, that wasn't it. It were his eyes. They were the same color.

Shunso was about to ask who this friend was that Midori brought when he heard her words and paused. He tried to remember if he had ever seen her before as clearly she seemed to know him. And hate him. What had he done to her? Confused he lowered Midori, letting her gently down to the ground again. Yet there was something.... familiar about her. Something he knew. He just couldn't tell what it was. It was not her eyes or her hair. It was her posture.

Her question made everything clear. He could see it reflected in a mirror, staring back at him before shattering and falling apart in little pieces. Wasn't this what they had been worried about all these years ago?

"Kiyomi, you can't say that. He is really nice and-"

Shunso placed a hand on Midori shoulder and the confused girl closed her mouth. He swallowed and took a deep breath. He had promised her that he would care and he did. He had promised that he would not lie or not accept her. And he wasn't planning to. "Your mother," he started, looking at her, "was Ilia Hon, am I right?"

Kiyomi's right eye twitched. Somehow she got even more annoyed by the fact he said that name. The name she held in high regard. ''You are, but don't use her name. Not when I am around. Got that?'' Really trying to make it sound like a sneer or even a proper threat, Kiyomi's voice was too soft. Only what wasn't nice was her glare in his direction, but she couldn't bring up any Killing Intent. Blaming him also for that, Kiyomi wanted to have more things that she could blame on him. She wanted to be angry and hate the man. He was the cause of her troubles. The fact she was like this. But was he? He hadn't been around when it was Katsuro who mistreated her. He wasn't the one who had placed the Nibi inside of her, had he? Cursing her own mind, Kiyomi tried to think of things she could tell him. Things that would hurt him. But all she could think of was the haunting thoughts. She already had two loving people who acted as her parents. Was there really nothing she could throw in his face, to make him feel hurt and bad? Even the line she never had known a father figure wasn't valid. Clenching her gloved hands into fists, she wanted to hurt him. But without a reason would make her the bad person. It was just too confusing. ''Why?'' Kiyomi repeated the question with a trembling voice.

Shunso closed his eyes briefly unsure how to react to her. It was obvious that she was angry. She had all the right to be. After all he had never been there for her in anyway. Not that he had known that she was alive, but did that really matter? For her it probably didn't. His eyes shot back to Midori. She seemed confused. No surprise there either. He wondered if he should send her away to have a private talk with the girl before him, but then again, this was Midori's sister. She had the right to know.

"Because," he said slow and carefully, "I loved Ilia Hon as well." He pondered how he should continue. Likely the girl would use every word against him in her anger.

The fact he used the name again made her hiss in anger. She wanted to raise a hand and just cut him down. With lightning, fire or what she could come up with. ''You didn't! You left her alone! A pregnant woman!'' Kiyomi said, still on the same soft tone. ''You never tried to contact her or even me! I didn't even know until... some time ago. You're... You're..'' Kiyomi tried to call him a bastard. A miserable assehole, but the words weren't coming out of her mouth. Maybe she should leave, but her body wasn't listening to her. The trembling had became less as Kiyomi lowered her head again. As if she had been defeated by her own emotions. Pitiful. She had managed to overcome things, such as bonding with her Tailed Beast, but her own emotions were too much for her? ''Did you really love her?''

Shunso let out a deep breath. "I left her and she left me." He said slowly. It might not be what the girl wanted to hear, but it was better for her to have the truth. To know what really happened, though he doubted that she would fully understand. "It was war. There was fighting. Everything was just broken. She died and I never knew anymore about her then I found out in the three days that I spend with her. Yet in these three days I made a promise." Gently he stepped forwards. "I promised her that whatever happened I would care. But she died and could never talk to me again. And I missed her and I buried her. And I loved her. Always."

His words seemed to make the anger go a bit away. It was just as how it was in her dairy. No names were ever mentioned in there, but the three days and the fact he loved were enough to prove he wasn't lying. She hated it, or tried to. Nothing on him she could point out that he had done something wrong. Well, there was one thing, but that was something he had to explain to Midori or Chie. That was his own family. Or was it hers as well? Was she now also a member of the Sato Clan? Kiyomi tried to keep it together. ''Yes, you loved her. Seemed she cared about you as well. So far what I have read from her dairy. But you never showed any interest in me, did you? You just assumed that I was never born or cared to take up contact. You could've asked... take me out of that hell hole.'' Kiyomi said, gaining a bit of her anger back as she found a reason.

There was no real answer for her questions. "I assumed that your mother would take up contact if something happened. As for taking up contact... Yes, yes I could have made inquiries. And those inquiries would have made so many things worse. I had already brought traint to Ilia's name. If I showed up at her doorstep, if that would have been possible at all seeing that Konoha shinobi at that time weren't very keen on strangers knocking at their doors, don't you think I would have made it worse?" He asked her and paused.

"You are allowed to be mad at me, but I cannot change the past. Nor the present. I can only do something about the future. So yell, scream, be mad. I'll take it all."

Kiyomi narrowed her eyes. He made too much sense. It was even more annoying than when anybody else did it. Then again, she hadn't been behaving like this for a very long time. Sighing, Kiyomi shook her head lightly. ''No. She seemed to care about you. Besides, I've been wondering too much on meeting you that it feels wrong... to shout at you.'' Kiyomi looked up with a frown. ''And despite you say that you can take it all, I doubt you'll survive a ball of lightning to the heart.'' Kiyomi joked with a mocking tone. It was strange to act nice back. She folded her arms in front of her chest. ''I bet I can even use my index finger to take you on. But that would be a disgrace in her memories... Though, I am not sorry for my words.'' Somehow she felt wrong saying that. It was just that her pride made become a bit annoyed. Kiyomi accepted that nobody was to blame for the situation, but somehow she didn't want to become the all and suddenly nice daughter. It was confusing.

Shusno couldn't help it. Her words, they were just too similar. He had to laugh. "I said I would take it all, not that I could. Because I probably can't. And I'll trust your word on it. You know..." He continued slowly. Still smiling he looked down on her before bending through his knees before her. "I asked your mother once how dangerous that index finger of her was. She said she could kill me with one touch. Seems that lethal touch passed on to you." He raised his hand and held it out to her, his palm facing upwards.

"I'm not asking you to take your words back or to be sorry for them. You had the right to say them. I hope however that you understand the situation a bit better. Also I hope that you won't shock me because how can a prince help a princess when she shocks him to death." He said joking.

Her green eyes stared in his. ''A prince should carry a princess....Isn't that not right?'' She asked him. The anger had faded away, but she didn't feel like showing any positive emotions yet for the man. It would need time. ''Besides, I am no princess. Maybe my sister is, but I am not.'' Kiyomi said with a serious tone. Kiyomi glanced at Midori, knowing she had heard everything. It would be strange if the girl hadn't hear the whole conversation, as they had been in the same tent while it had happened. ''I don't want you to care about me or call me your daughter. I want you to be there for the one that is my half sister.'' Kiyomi returned her stare back in his direction. ''Can you do that?''

"Not when the princess is a ninja and the prince is not." Shunso said. His eyes followed hers to Midori. His daughter had a frown on her face and Shunso realized that trouble was not over yet. Not that it ever was. He turned back to Kiyomi and shook his head. "No," he said simply. "I can't do that because I made a promise to your mother that I would care. And even without that I would care. However, if you tell me your name I might be able to furfil that second and third request."

''Kiyomi, is my name.'' Kiyomi said. She decided against to go against his words. She wondered if she could trust him on his word, but it was better than nothing. Wondering what Thunderstone was thinking about, she didn't feel any movement in the shoulderbag. He wasn't likely sleeping at a time like this, but neither was going to join the talk. It made her a bit calmer, deciding that was a good sign as he would let her arrange this on her own.

"Well then Kiyomi, it is nice to meet you." Shunso held out his hand to her. As he did that Midori suddenly seemed to come to a realisation and turned around. Without saying a word she left the tent. With a pained expression Shunso looked to running back of his daughter. "Seems I will have to uphold that third part of our agreement already. Do you mind? You can stay here, or walk around the camp. I'm quite sure the rest would like to meet you."

She noticed that Midori walked away, making Kiyomi feel a little bit guilty. As she looked at the stretched hand, Kiyomi didn't make a move to reach out. Simply glancing back at her biological father, she nodded. ''Though maybe I will- Auw!'' She wanted to say she could head back, but something at her leg hurted. Looking at the spot, she noticed something going into her shoulder bag. Rubbing the spot, Kiyomi mumbled her reply back. ''I will walk a bit around then.. Was interested in the way you- I mean, my... My clan lives.'' She told him, also walking out of the tent.

It was probably too early to ask for acceptance, Shunso reckoned as the outstretched hand was not answered. That was okay. At least she wasn't running away, though she seemed like she wanted to leave. Something however, made her change her mind. Shunso rose up. "You do that..." He mumbled when the girl walked away from him. He, himself, followed Midori, who had run towards the other end of the camp and was currently petting a sheep. The animal kept pressing its nose against Midori's palm, begging for food to which the girl giggled and told the beast that she didn't have anything. When her father appeared next to her her giggle disappeared.

Shunso didn't say anything and petted the sheep. Midori watched him pet it.

"You do love mom, right?" Midori suddenly asked. She dragged her hand through the fluffy wool.

"Very much." Shunso simply replied. Midori nodded slowly and there was a longer silence. Then Midori asked:

"So should I call Kiyomi my sister now?" And Shunso smiled.

It was so different. Strange. Kiyomi walked around, her hands gripping around the belt of the shoulderbag. While she looked around, she noticed that she wasn't treated with any distrust. Nothing negative. Did they already know about her? Were this the people that knew her mother too? ''You're mean, Thunderstone-sama. I want to go home.'' Kiyomi whispered, but no reply came. This didn't feel like home, but it was close to it. What if she had been given to Shunso, would she be a nomad then? Would she love that life? As she walked a bit around, Kiyomi kept trying to avoid any contact with the people. Simply smiling and keeping her distance. Though she kept looking interested at some things. Like the tents. Some looked kind of nice. Would be nicer to sleep in a tent than a sleeping bag. Also that they were so polite. In the Hon clan, it was more strict and kept seperate. She couldn't see any hierachy. Was it better? Kiyomi felt conflicted, being part of two worlds. One she had grown up in and one that felt good. What was her home actually...

The sheep had wandered away now back to its friends and it was just Midori and her father now. For some reason she couldn't find words which was weird because even through out her period of silence she had been able to find the words. Now her head was just empty. Suddenly her dad gave her a push and she stumbled. Suprised she looked to her dad. He was smiling.

"So tell me about Kumogakure and your friends. How good of a ninja are you already?" He asked. There was a glint in his eyes that Midori knew and she grinned back. She had been wondering how to start. How to tell all the stupid things that had happened. What she had not realized was the awesome things that had also been going on after he dad had left. She had come to the conclusion before that she wasn't mad at him, she had never been and now it just felt nice to be back.

"I'm the best." Midori boosted as she gave him a shove back. "Well not completely as my sensei is stronger. He is great. His name is Raspberry." Midori started her story and Shunso raised his eyebrow slowly, but didn't interupt. He was not going to stop the tale that was now coming.

''That is a nice horse. Yes, ain't you?'' Kiyomi said, gently petting the horse. It wasn't the biggest and a light brown color. Not sure if she was allowed to pet the horse, Kiyomi had tried to just look at the animals from a distance. Only the horse had become interested and came to her. Even though she had tried to shoo it away at first. ''He is adorable, don't you think?'' Kiyomi asked, thought it was directed to Thunderstone. ''His name is Mashiro. Seems he like you.'' The voice of a woman made Kiyomi flinch. Because she had stopped petting, the horse pushed with his head against her hand, making the girl stumble a step back. ''S-Sorry! I was just looking and-'' ''It's fine. He likes it when you softly stroke his neck. His favorite spot.'' An old woman said with a smile. Kiyomi wavered, not sure if the woman had any meaning with that. Glancing sideways at the horse, she started to patt softly the neck of the horse.

Shunso had to say, this was a very impressive tale Midori was recreating here. With interest he listen to her talk about a certain Gakuko, who was her best friend who was currenly lost. On occasion there was mention of Hibiki, which was good because Shunso had asked the man to look after his family. Then there was some stuff about a real Hokage and a fake Hokage, which was confusing, and about her previous teacher. When she mentioned his name Midori was very quiet and Shunso took that as a sign that his daughter had in fact appreciated the man who was now dead.

Suddenly however the flow of words, that had steadily become larger and had steadily reminded him more and more of the old days, halted and Midori was silent. "Can I tell the rest another time?" Midori then asked in a small voice. Shunso frowned and then nodded.

"Of course, you aren't leaving right away, right? Because I am not allowing that. We, at least, have to sing together at the campfire tonight."

"You sing terrible." Midori whined.

"Do not." Shunso shot back and they laughed.

Walking away, Kiyomi was still confused. The old woman had been very kind, but it was different. Somehow it all felt different. The questions kept running through her mind, but suddenly it became calmer in her head. Why was she worried? She had a home, a loving family. And a clan. This was just a clan that she could also see as a kind of extra family. Though she didn't feel like a member of the Sato clan. There so much she didn't know about them yet. Did they have any traditions? A rite of coming to age or such, like the Hon clan? As she slowly walked, Kiyomi kept thinking about all kind of questions, slowly getting lost in her train of thoughts.

There were running footsteps behind Kiyomi and then suddenly Midori propelled herself at the girl, wanting to wrap her arm around Kiyomi's neck. Shunso came up behind the two, his hands in his pockets. Some how these girls before him looked pretty alike.

"Kiyomi, let's go horse riding." Midori said excited. It was not really a question as Midori tried to shake Kiyomi back and forth a bit. "It is fun and I haven't done it in ages."

Surprised, Kiyomi wasn't sure how to respond. Though she could ride a horse, Kiyomi wasn't sure if she had the time to stay that long. She had made a promise to be back as soon as possible. Though it sounded like it could be fun. ''Sure. I think it could be fun.'' She replied, glancing with a cautious look at Shunso. Somewhere, she still wasn't sure if she could trust the man. ''But I am not that great at it.'' Kiyomi said, already assuming that they likely were. Why else would they have horses?

"That's okay." Midori said. "I mean it is not like I have been practicing much. So you'll be fine." She spun around to face her father again. The man didn't speak, but the way he looked was enough approval for Midori.

"Don't ride to far." He then said and Midori shook her head before turning back to Kiyomi. "Let's go then." She said as she dragged Kiyomi away from her dad towards the outer layer of the camp were the horses were walking around between the sheep. She eyed them carefully. "When I was little we used to try and sneak up on the horses and jump on their backs from behind. They would run away then and it was a competition who could stay the longest on their horse. Wanna try?"

''You sure that they...'' Kiyomi stopped. She eyed the horses and a smirk grew on her lips. Slowly she placed her shoulderbag on the ground. ''I will be right back Thunderstone-sama. Let's go Midori.'' Kiyomi said. She wasn't sure if this was a good thing to do, but it was exciting. Besides, she could use something to clear her mind of the questions and other thoughts.

Midori grinned. "Let's do it. No clever ninja skills though cause that is cheating unless it is to protect you when you fall off. I bet you I can stay longer on a horse!" She said as she sprinted away and hid behind a flock of sheep. Carefully she snuck between the animals, eying a brown mare with white spots. The animal was grazing peacefully and Midori carefully took some steps forward. Closer and closer she got until there were no more sheep to hide behind. Thus she waited and tried to push a couple of sheep in the right direction. The creatures made some annoyed sounds, but moved never the less.

There. Suddenly Midori leaped forward and placed her hands on the back of the horse, whipping herself up so that she landed on its back. The mare nickered in surprise and it's forelegs came from the ground in protest before it started a dance to get Midori off. It took a couple of minutes before Midori finally couldn't hold her grip anymore and toppled off landing in a very disgrunted group of sheep.

Quickly, Kiyomi ran towards Midori as she was a bit worried about Midori. Brushing a lock of hair back, Kiyomi glanced at Midori with a worried look. ''You didn't last long. I'm so going to win.'' Kiyomi said on a teasing tone, offering a hand as she quickly looked at the horses. Though she had said it in a confident manner, she wasn't so sure herself. ''Are you okay?'' Kiyomi decided to ask, hoping Midori hadn't hurt herself.

The orange haired girl grinned and then burst out laughing. It felt strange to laugh like that again, she realized. Hadn't happened in a long time. "I'm fine." She said. "And you are not going to win. I'm totally better." She sat up slowly and looked around. "You try it."

Nodding, Kiyomi felt a bit nervous. Which was strange. In battle she had been cool and calm, but about this she wasn't so sure. Deciding to do it a bit like Midori had done it, Kiyomi sneaked towards a group of sheep. It was however the same group of sheep that Midori first had used to hide. As Kiyomi performed the same tactic, she started to gently push a few sheep towards a horse. While Kiyomi prepared herself to jump, her eyes widened. One of the sheep had enough of it and decided to do something about it all. ''Freckles!'' Kiyomi called out as the sheep bite her right arm. It made the horse aware of the girl and was about to turn his head around to see what was going on. After the sheep had let go, Kiyomi pushed it back, causing it to bleat. Like if it was trying to challenge Kiyomi to come back if she dared. But she sprinted towards the horse with a grim expression.

With a quick jump, Kiyomi landed on the back of the horse. It started to nicker as well, but instead of bringing up his forelegs up in protest, it jumped up with it's hindlegs. Kiyomi had expected the forelegs and was thrown off the horse in an instant. Rolling over the grass, she moaned. ''That wasn't really... fun.'' She mumbled as she tried to get up.

It was not being mean or anything, but Midori just couldn't help herself. She laughed so hard that she had difficulties getting up herself. Still shaking she made her way over to Kiyomi and offered her a hand. "You.. hahahahaha.. are doing it wrong. You're telling the horse what you are expecting through your bodylanguage. Hahahaha. So it can thrown you off very easily." She told the girl. "Are you okay?"

Hearing Midori laugh, Kiyomi wanted to glare at her half sister. But instead she smiled and took Midori's hand. ''Maybe.'' She said, though she was okay. More than okay. Standing on her own feet, Kiyomi dusted her clothes. ''You're okay with... I mean, I know it's sudden but..'' Kiyomi started. It didn't feel that strange, but she was a bit unsure what Midori thought about it.

Pulling her new found sister up Midori raised her eyebrows at the sort of question Kiyomi asked. "It is totally awesome to have a sister." She said then as if that explained the whole situation. She pulled some grass out of Kiyomi's hair. "So yes."

The words brought slowly a smile to Kiyomi's lips. Though she wasn't a very emotional person anymore, tears started to well up at the green eyes of Kiyomi. Hugging Midori, Kiyomi couldn't help but to smile at the words of her sister. A sister that didn't look down on her with any negative emotion. A sister that could relate to so many things with her. ''I agree.'' She told Midori back. Opening her eyes, she noticed a man at the edge of the camp. Now the clan felt like home to her.

[Little Alice]

Homecoming.

A reflection in the mirror.

13 Months

A collab between J8cob (mommy! <3) and Little Alice.

SPOILER: Click to show

It had been one week. Kiyomi had a little backpack, hanging around her left shoulder. Her eyes had a tired look. One full week had she stayed away and due orders, not letting hearing one single thing. The sky was filled with clouds, looking like it would rain at any moment. The air even made it feel it would soon be pouring from the heavens. Kiyomi bite her lower lip softly. It just made her more nervous as it looked like a bad omen. Holding the bag hanging around her shoulder with her left hand, her right hand went to the scar at her right eye. How would she explain it? The change with her hair? The scar? Being away for a week?

''Hai mom, I have been away because I was ordered by Dragon to rest out in secret.'' No, that would just make Keiko throw a fit. Or worse. Flinching, Kiyomi already wondered what Keiko would think of her 'real' name. Or what would Hiron do? Fearing what would happen, Kiyomi never the less kept on walking. After she made it clear who she was, she was allowed to pass the main gate. Luckily the bandaged sword on her back made it easy for people to recognize who she was. Just one more block. Then she would be home. Trying to muster her courage, Kiyomi saw the door. It looked silent. Nobody on the street. The silence for the storm? Putting the sentient sword down, who was awfully quiet as well, Kiyomi went through her back. Finding the key, she wavered. No, she shouldn't be afraid. It was her home. It had been her home for years. Putting the key through the lock, Kiyomi somewhere hoped nobody would hear it.

The young woman sitting on the couch looked exhausted. Even her orange hair seemed somewhat unkept, considering it wasn't tied up like usual. However, despite the break Keiko was taking, she heard a noise coming from the front door. Her hopes were raised in that split second and she jumped to her feet with more energy than her appearance would suggest. She ran to the entrance, skidding to a halt to see who walked in. She looked at the girl before her silently for a moment. She could tell it was Lilia. But there was something different about her, and that took her aback. She had been gone without a word for over a week now and she came back like this. She didn't know where to begin. Until she saw it. "Lilia, are you okay?" she asked, closing in and putting a hand on her cheek. She had noticed the scar over her eye. "Who did this to you? What happened?"


That name. It meant nothing and it was nothing. Yet it pained her. Why? She had loved it when Keiko or Hiron said the name with affection. With pride. Instead of feeling some warmth when Keiko put a hand on her cheek, Kiyomi felt only a sting. An ice cold one. ''I-I.. I am sorry.'' Unsure what to say or where to begin, Kiyomi wanted to put her right hand over her scar. To hide it away. Was that why uncle Zakito was always hiding his left eye? Yet, Kiyomi couldn't break her stare into Keiko's eyes. ''Are you mad?''

Keiko thought about it for a moment, staring into Kiyomi's eyes. Her own eyes were a shade of violet, so perhaps that was why Kiyomi had to ask. With the hand on her cheek, she moved her other hand to brush some of the red hair out of Kiyomi's face. "No, I'm not mad, sweetie," she said, her voice quieter and less excited than before. "I'm worried. What happened? You vanished for a week and you come back... like this. That doesn't make me mad that makes me concerned." Deciding not to baby the teenager any more, she took her hand off Kiyomi's cheek and stood upright. "Go sit on the couch. I'll get you something to drink." Though they were instructions, her voice sounded more compassionate than anything else. Keiko closed the door behind Kiyomi and let her lead the way into the living room.

While Keiko's voice wasn't hostile or angry, Kiyomi still felt nervous. For some reason, she was hoping that Aimi was in the living room. Walking into the house, she even noticed Samehada silently slithered away. In the direction of the stairs. Shooting a glare in the direction of the sentient blade, she knew that there was no way out of this. Trying to keep her head up, acting calm, Kiyomi closed the door behind her. Putting out her shoe ware, she went to the living room. ''May I have.. some sake?'' Kiyomi said as she sat down on the couch. Leaning forward, she placed both her hands at her temple. Telling Keiko everything, that would be something she feared. Would Keiko again be angry due the influence of the Dragon Lotus? Would she demand things? Or what would she do? Straighten up again, Kiyomi felt becoming nervous.

Keiko was surprised that she wanted sake. Lilia had never shown interest in it before. Her instincts wanted to tell her no, but she grabbed a bottle of sake anyways and two glasses. The young mother walked back into the living room and set the glasses down, before filling them both. Before even talking, she took her glass and drank the entire thing, before filling it up again. "You had me scared, Lilia," she began, not quite looking her adoptive daughter in the eye. "And then you came back with a scar over your eye. I can see you've changed greatly, but I don't know why or what for. You're getting to the point I can't sit here and tell you what to do, but when you go and do things without me knowing something happens every time." Without waiting for her response, Keiko drank her second glass. After that, she looked Kiyomi in the eyes, though her irises hadn't changed color.

Feeling ashamed, Kiyomi could see the moments of the fight. The fight between her and Selia in the rain. ''I met Grandpa Jin Jin.'' Reaching for the glass of sake, Kiyomi stared in it. ''I-I... I murdered somebody.'' Staying silent, Kiyomi couldn't continue. The fact she felt miserable that she hadn't told Keiko anything was horrible. However, not for even a split second had Kiyomi grieved for the fact she had murdered her sibling. In her own and maybe childish viewpoint, she had done everything to save Selia. But what was the point of saving somebody who didn't want to be saved? ''I...'' Stuttering and speaking with a weak voice, Kiyomi started to explain the story. How she had met the first time with Selia, where the latter had left her on the brink of death. How she had recieved a note from Selia in front of their door. How she had fought against Selia. The whole meeting with Jinkama, but she left Aimi. ''And then... I took refuge to Dragon Lo-Lotus.'' From there, she explained that she had taken some time to 'recover'. Deciding she would change to what she thought would be Kiyomi. Every time she however said the name she carried now, Kiyomi shivered briefly. ''I never wanted to... I..''

At this point, Keiko had finished her eighth glass. Though she seemed not the least bit intoxicated, and was actually listening intently and silently the whole time. But as Kiyomi began stuttering again, Keiko set down her glass for good. "Just stop for a second," she commanded, her voice sounding sincere, almost like talking to a student. She let out a sigh and took a moment to gather her thoughts. She could think of many things in the story that upset her, and knew she could very well explode for any of them. "Listen... Just relax for a bit." She closed her eyes and looked forward now, resting her head on her hands. "I know you've been through a lot... Kiyomi..." She wasn't used to the name yet. "But... You don't have any idea of how much..."

"When you go and do things like that, alone, it makes me worry. Something bad happens every time. You feel like you have to do these things by yourself, like you're supposed to. But you're impressing no one. Not even yourself." Keiko opened her eyes now and looked at Kiyomi from her peripherals. "There is no reason for you to take such serious risks. I honestly... I can't follow why you had to go alone. I don't care about your pride, Kiyomi. I care about you. I would have gladly been there, even if you hated me for it, just to keep that off your face." Keiko sat upright now, letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry I lied earlier. Yes, I am very mad. But more importantly, I just want to make sure... I can't... You don't let me protect you. Or Hiron." She faced Kiyomi now, taking both her hands in hers. "Please... Just please... Don't do that again. Hiron or I will gladly help you with anything, even if you don't want help. And considering how many times this sort of thing has happened, especially if you don't want it."

Taking a sip of the sake, Kiyomi kept holding the glass with both her hands. She understood what Keiko meant. She could understand why she said such things. ''That is the point.'' Kiyomi knew she had to be careful. When Keiko was so calm, but say she was very mad, it would just need one word. One wrong move and hell would explode. But Kiyomi had learned it was better if she would voice her own opinion instead of just following everything what others said. ''You, Hiron and everybody else. I am always being protected. I always am looked down as if I can't do the same. I just... I just want to.'' Realizing she was being childish and selfish, Kiyomi stopped. ''I just want you, Hiron and Aimi to be safe. I.. don't want to stand by and lose somebody in front of me. I w-want to be a..'' The word she was trying to say made her feel weird. Cold almost. ''A hero. Like Grandpa.'' Taking another sip of her sake, Kiyomi was wondering she wasn't crying yet. She felt like it, but no salty tear was rolling down her cheek.

"Sweetie," Keiko began, holding Kiyomi's hands tighter. "We don't look down on you. It's how we show we care for you. I understand you are willing to protect us, like we are willing to protect you... But you didn't need to protect us this time." Keiko released her hands, just in time to cover her own cough. "We are safe, Kiyomi. But... you go and throw your safety away. That scares me. If nobody is around to protect you when you do that..." Keiko seemed to choke on the words. "You could die somewhere and we would be none the wiser." She paused to let that sink in. "I know you want to be like Jin... but even he kept regard for his own safety. Doing something alone doesn't make you a hero. It's doing the right thing that makes you a hero." Keiko stood up from the couch now, taking a moment to stretch. "Don't you ever forget this... I will die for you, not the other way around. Please, please don't confuse that."

Her shoulders trembled a bit. Lowering her head, her hands tighten the grip on the glass. If she would exert more grip on the glass, cracks would appear. ''I-I know. I just want to... I just want to make it stop.'' Raising her head, she took some time to calm down her breathing. ''It is so frustrating that everybody is viewing me like this. That I am some treasure. That I need to be protected.'' Looking at Keiko, the bright green eyes had a darker color in them. ''Mommy, I never want anybody... I don't want anybody to die for me.'' Saying with a trembling voice, Kiyomi felt she was getting sick. ''I just want to be allowed.. to the same things you and Hiron do. You protect me without thinking about it. Without wondering if I did something wrong. I-I just want...'' Becoming silent again, Kiyomi gained the feeling she couldn't perfectly explain what she felt or wanted.

Keiko, rather calmly, turned and faced Kiyomi. Her hand shot out, giving the girl a light slap across the face. "Jinkama died for you..." There were tears evident in Keiko's eyes now, and she turned away from Kiyomi to wipe them. "I do think about it, Kiyomi. All the time. The reason I protect you..." After removing the tears, she looked back at Kiyomi but her eyes were still watery. "I didn't let Jin protect me. I refused to. I wanted nobody to protect me because I felt I was as strong as anyone else. I didn't need it. I didn't realize my mistake until after he died. How much I truly regretted it. But there is nothing I can do now except live with it. Knowing that all he wanted was to keep me safe and I pushed him away. And now he's dead. I apologized to him many times, but it never felt like it was enough." Keiko walked around the coffee table, before motioning for Kiyomi to follow. "I can't speak for Hiron... but the reason I protect you is to keep you from making my mistakes. One day, I will die. Most likely before you. And I don't want you to feel what I have to feel." Keiko wiped her eyes again, but this time didn't look away from her adoptive daughter.

The slap made Kiyomi look with wide open eyes to her mother. It didn't hurt physically, but mentally it was like she had slammed a burning hammer against her cheek. Silenced, Kiyomi listened to Kiyomi. Not able to produce any word, as she was still blinking with her eyes, Kiyomi would set her glass on the table. Following Keiko, Kiyomi finally found the ability to speak again. ''Whe-Where are we going?'' She asked, more timid than curious. The sight of Keiko crying also was causing some mental pain. It was her fault that Keiko was crying and it caused more pain than the slap. Kiyomi had it rather that Keiko would scream and scold her. Almost everything would be better than seeing her mother like this.

The young mother grabbed an umbrella by the door, before opening the front door. Still, she did not answer Kiyomi's question. "I am not the best person for this," she said as she stepped outside. Though there was no rain, it looked like it could start any minute. "I was never good at taking care of people. I couldn't even take care of myself. But I never knew that. I thought I knew everything. Nobody could stop me, because I demanded as much respect as everyone else. I had to be their equal... no, their superior. But it doesn't work that way." Keiko waited outside for Kiyomi to follow before continuing. "You think everyone looks down on you because you are young. I did too. When I became jounin, I thought age didn't matter anymore because I had as much status as anyone else. You think that way too. But it matters... Kiyomi. You are yet to grow up, despite how mature you think you are. You... You shouldn't go around trying to do things that will keep you from growing up. I want to see you when you're my age. I want to see you with children of your own. But at this rate..." Keiko wasn't looking at her daughter, but Kiyomi would be able to hear a sniffle. "I never will."

Walking with Keiko, Kiyomi listened to Keiko. When Keiko said she would never will grow up at her age, becoming a mother if she would continue like this, scarred Kiyomi. What would that mean? She would die? Would she just turn out to be wrong? ''I...'' For a brief moment, she felt lost. Not as in not able to find a way. But that she had lost something and now wanted it back. ''If I won't do it, who would? I don't want to be defended, mom. I just want.. I really don't mean...'' Thinking what Keiko said about Jinkama, that he died for her made her think. He had taught her how to control Fire chakra. How to become a shield. Was that his manner of dying for her? Had she been blind for it the whole time? The questions caused her to become silent. ''... Do you think that Grandpa would be disappointed? Or.. are you?''

Keiko heard raindrops begin to fall, so she slowed down and opened the umbrella, allowing Kiyomi to walk under it as well. "It's difficult, Kiyomi. I'm proud you can handle yourself... but... disappointed you risked so much..." There was a moment of silence as they continued walking through the empty streets as the rain began to pick up. "I know exactly what Jin would have asked. He would have asked you if you really felt your life was worth it. But that's not me. I'm not as wise or as nice as Jin was." She turned onto a different street now. "I know you want to defend yourself, and you have every right to... but you weren't defending yourself this time. You weren't protecting us this time." The two were walking toward the Hokage monument, as it would be evident now. "What were you really fighting for, Kiyomi?" Keiko stopped walking now, just to wait for the answer.

The question made her think. At first she wanted to say she had been fighting for her and everybody's life. Selia was one strong opponent, even being able to drive her to a corner. If Kiyomi was able to defeat Hiron and Keiko, who knew what Selia had done? Maybe she had been wrong. But it had been that fear for the life of her family that had caused her to seek out Selia and try to change it. In the end, she had even failed to do that and murdered Selia. ''I fight.. I..'' Lowering her head, she wanted to say she was fighting for everybody. That she wanted to keep them safe. But as she started to think, the answer was different. It was selfish.

She was fighting to get acknowledged.

It was a bitter truth that came up. One she didn't want to face or hear. ''I fought.. cause I thought I could make a difference. But.. I fought for myself. Not for others. I didn't protect anybody. I murdered... murdered.'' Not able to continue, she felt some tears forming up at her eyes. Now she could feel the cold sting again. It was there, briefly. But she had felt it. ''Does that make m-me a.. murderer?'' Keiko began walking again. "I understand." Using her arm that wasn't holding the umbrella, she brought Kiyomi closer in a loose embrace. "There is a difference between killing and murder. As shinobi, we are expected to kill the enemies that we cannot capture. Murder is when you kill someone that isn't your enemy..."

"And I've murdered too." Keiko continued walking, now releasing Kiyomi from the embrace. "It stays with you. I can't remember the people I've killed in combat. But I can clearly remember that time. I was about your age. To be honest, I would be surprised if nobody ever told you this story..." A light chuckle escaped Keiko, but it sounded more sad than fun. "My point is... You are still young and aren't thinking clearly. Even when your mind isn't clouded, you have much to learn about life, so mistakes are bound to happen. I don't want you making any more."

The two were now above the Hokage monument, still under the umbrella as they watched the rain pour down over Konoha. "I brought you here because of a few reasons. For one, I would always come here to calm down when I was upset. Usually nobody is up here, and it can be peaceful and quiet. The second reason... this is where I learned that I was ignorant." Keiko looked at Kiyomi, her eyes still violet, before looking back across Konoha. "This is where Jin explained to me... kinda what I'm trying to tell you. He tried to show me the error of my ways. At first, I didn't care. Nothing he said was making any sense, and what did wasn't important. But after he walked away... I started thinking about it..." Keiko handed the umbrella to Kiyomi, allowing her to use both hands to sit down. "And I realized how selfish I was. This was only a few weeks before Jinkama left the village. So... for three years I had been... horrible... and all the while thinking I was in the right." Keiko looked at Kiyomi. "Please don't do that."

Taking the umbrella, Kiyomi kept listening. Slowly she sat down as well. Looking over the village, she thought about Keiko's words. They sounded like they made a lot of sense. But they didn't. Did that mean she was now how Keiko was those years ago? ''I.. I am trying to understand.'' She began. ''I know I have a lot to learn and I am still trying to learn. It is just that whenever I approach somebody, I am often being treated as a child. Even while people say that I am great, they keep treating me like I know nothing. It is just frustrating.'' Pulling her legs up, she wrapped her free around them. ''Sometimes I just feel like screaming that they are wrong. That they know nothing. Only to realize that I am.. ignorant.''

"Then do it." Keiko paused, before looking at Kiyomi with a light grin. "You're still young, but that isn't a bad thing. Everyone has to grow up and learn along the way. I was scared because you were putting yourself in danger. I suppose that will be natural for people of our jobs... I just want to ensure you live long enough to realize what you were doing. Then you can truly make amends and understand my fear. I hate to say it, but if you have children in the future they will put you through the same thing. Everyone has to learn." The young mother brushed some hair out of her face before looking across Konoha. "It's natural you don't understand me right now. But you will. Until then, just stay safe." A smile began to form on her lips. "Rather than keeping your frustration with others in, let it out. I know you're a bit frustrated with me right now, even. Go ahead. The whole village is right there. Tell them they're wrong. It might make you feel better." Keiko's smile formed into a grin now, and she looked back at Kiyomi. Her irises were still violet, but they were a lighter tone than before.

When Keiko finished, a flicker of lightning crackled through the air. Another soon followed, more slowly started to crackle into the air. Only then to stop. Kiyomi stared at the village. ''I won't.'' She said. ''As much as I want it at times, I won't.'' Kiyomi said. ''Because I am frustrated it doesn't justify to yell. To lash out. I have been raised to know better.'' Sighing, she looked at Keiko. ''You said that grandpa Jin was wise. I never saw him raise his voice. Never voice his frustration. Why?'' She asked, but it was clear that Kiyomi didn't really meant it as a question. ''Isn't it because he knows that listening to others may lead to knowledge? That it may lead to understanding? Isn't that why we call him wise?''

Her smile vanished and she looked away from Kiyomi. Her remark on lashing out stung slightly, but she kept that to herself. "He didn't voice his frustration for two reasons," Keiko began. "He felt that if he was angry, he wasn't in his right state of mind. Whenever he was frustrated, he would cool off on his own because he didn't want to risk hurting someone. The other reason goes with the first one... it was rare to get him angry, but he can be the angriest person I've ever seen." A light chuckle escaped, but the smile quickly vanished. "He was smart enough to stay calm. He was wise enough to learn. He was sensitive enough to not get angry with people that didn't need it." There was a pause now as she looked down. "I'm not like that..."

Slowly Kiyomi reached out. Her hand was placed on Keiko's shoulder. ''You're not. But you're honest.'' Kiyomi said. There was a little smile on her lips. ''You always have been. I think you still don't realize how much I look up to you. I always say I want to make Hiron or grandpa Jin proud. That they one day will look up to me. But...'' Slowly a reddish tint appeared on Kiyomi's cheeks. ''When I stand in front of the mirror, I-I want to look just like you. To have such a strong and ... prideful look.'' Becoming silent, Kiyomi pulled her hand back. Staring back at the Leaf, she wasn't sure what she could say. Meaning each word, she was wondering if her message came across. That and she thought about what Keiko had told her about Jinkama.

Kiyomi had surprised her. Keiko sat there silently as she thought about her words. A smile began to form on her face as tears began to form in her eyes. Rather suddenly, she brought both her hands up and cupped them around her mouth, as if they could amplify her voice. "Fuck all of you!!" she shouted over the village. Though it was probably quite loud for Kiyomi, sititng next to her and all, the distance and the rain most likely drowned it out before anyone else would hear it. Keiko knew that, but she still smiled triumphantly. "I do a lot of things wrong. A lot of stupid things. I'm terrible at being nice and so far... I don't think I've been a very good mother. A lot has happened over the past few months, Kiyomi. And I often look at myself and realize how unsure I am of everything... So thank you." She gave Kiyomi a hug now. "It means a lot to me that you can look up to me. I honestly try. I'm sorry I'm not a very good mother to you, and that I lecture you like I do. Just know that it's because I care."

Closing her eyes, Kiyomi smiled as she hugged Keiko back. ''You're not a good one. You're the best for me.'' She told Keiko on a hushed tone. Softly pushing Keiko away, Kiyomi would reach out the umbrella towards Keiko. Standing up, she looked with a glare in the direction of Konoha. Putting her hands in the same manner as Keiko at her mouth, she shouted out as well. ''My name is Kiyomi!'' It felt good. Though she was still unsure what others thought about her name, she realized that it didn't matter. It was her name. Like the words of Keiko, they could fuck off. It was her life. ''Ki-yo-mi!'' Kiyomi repeated, feeling some sensation from the shouting. For a moment she didn't care if somebody heard her, Kiyomi sat down again. ''Okay, I admit. That felt good.''

The young mother took the umbrella with a smirk on her face. Kiyomi's shouts made her laugh a bit, and she finally used her free hand to wipe her eyes. "I knew it would. I've come up here and done just that more times than I'm willing to admit," with that, Keiko stood up. "But that's just the way I am. Like you are the way you are. Stubborn, risky... but kind and caring. Now that I've calmed down, I've realized that I can't be telling you what to do forever. You are growing up, and you should make some mistakes of your own to learn from them." With a smirk, Keiko closed the umbrella, letting the rain fall on them. "I suck at being nice. So I'll just say this: I'm glad your back." Keiko tossed the closed umbrella off the edge of the monument, letting it fall to the streets below. She began chuckling now. "That was Hiron's. We should probably go and get it..."

''May I ask you a question?'' Kiyomi asked. The cold rain was actually nice. It seemed like it drove the anger away. Kiyomi briefly looked at the village before back at her mother. Her female rolemodel. ''I know that you will laugh and this might be too young. But, what if I would become a mother...and euhm..'' Kiyomi felt a bit embarressed. But she knew that the gesture would mean a lot to Keiko. ''I want to pass your name. If you become a g-grandmother. Would it be okay if..''

Keiko laughed a bit, before placing a hand on Kiyomi's shoulder. "I would love that," she said, giving her a smile. Perhaps now Kiyomi would notice that Keiko's irises were green. "Just don't go and be a mother too soon, you hear?" Before she had a chance to defend herself, Keiko moved her hand from Kiyomi's shoulder and ruffled her hair a bit. "I noticed you dyed your hair too. It looks nice." She gave Kiyomi another smile, before motioning toward the edge of the monument. It was clear that she intended to jump off it.

Walking beside Keiko, Kiyomi smiled. ''I think that I am fine with focusing on my own path. So I can promise that. At least not until I will be eighteen.'' It was a joke, something that was revealed by her tone. Though she always had said she didn't like it for one bit that people ruffled her hair, she loved it when either Hiron or Keiko did so. Also when Jinkama did that. Only she had never told him that. ''Thank you. I had some great insperation.'' Kiyomi said back with a tone, filled with pride, when Keiko said something about her hair. Standing on the edge of the monument, Kiyomi briefly closed her eyes. The rain, the cold breeze and the height made her feel somehow... free. Slowly spreading her arms, she smiled again. ''Hey mom...''

The young mother stood next to Kiyomi, looking out over the village. The rain over it made it feel different, but she was still feeling better now than she was before. "This is just the break I've needed," she remarked with a chuckle, before jumping into the air. As she was still ascending, fire formed around Keiko's hands. The flames began to expand as she fell, leaving a swirling trail of fire as she descended toward the village. Combined with the rain, there were slight wisps of steam coming from her hands as well, creating a rather beautiful design in the air as she fell. "Wooo!" she shouted all the way down, further proving how much fun she was having.

Following, Kiyomi performed a summersault as she then spread out her arms. A grin spread over her lips. Blue flames were starting to forming around her hands. But not as much as Keiko's flames. After all, she didn't want to end up to cause a big fire. ''Hahaahahaha!'' Laughing, Kiyomi briefly looked at Keiko before back at the village. Time seemed to slow down as she could feel her heart pumping faster. Taking in every detail, Kiyomi couldn't stop laughing.

As her descent reached the ground, Keiko performed one last flip before landing on her hands and feet. This sent the fire spiralling across the ground almost like a wave, but it didn't reach any of the buildings before dying down. The young mother stood up and flipped her hair out of her face, before looking up to watch Kiyomi fall. I shouldn't be so harsh on her, she thought to herself. She'll turn out fine. Keiko noticed that the umbrella that she threw down here was on the ground a little ways away, but didn't move to get it yet.

[Little Alice]

The promotion of Kiyomi Sato-Hon,

Becoming a Jounin isn't something to be joked with.

A collab made by Lesli, Fieryfly and Little Alice, 

Time : Thirteen months after the start of the timeskip.  

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Kiyomi was a bit nervous. Having received the note that she had to come to the Hokage Office wasn't that strange. Maybe she would just be send on a new mission? That was normal for a kunoichi. Still, she wondered why she had received the order to not tell anybody where she was going. Tempted, she wanted to look over her shoulder. The surrounding around her was the center of Konoha. People were either shopping, working or walking around. The pleasant scene however didn't calm her down. Somehow, she felt watched. Trying to not freak out, she kept on walking towards the Hokage Office. Arriving there, she had little trouble as it seemed that the ANBU guards had been expecting her. Heading to the door that would lead to the office, Kiyomi tried one more time to calm herself. What if Hisoka would be mad that she had been gone for a week? What if her skill would have been needed during that week? That thought made Kiyomi flinch a bit. She didn't want him to be mad on her. But she couldn't run now. Wait, she wouldn't run!

Mustering her courage and steeling herself, Kiyomi knocked on the door. Now it was waiting for the Hokage to answer if she could come in.

But no word came from behind the door. Instead it was opened by Hisoka himself. His eyes briefly went over the hallway and with a wave of his hand he dismissed the ANBU that were stationed close by. He wouldn't be needing them. "Come in." He said as he stepped to the side and allowed Kiyomi entrance to the room, leaving the door open, and pacing back to his desk.

That was unusual. Hisoka opening the door? In person? Kiyomi's feeling of getting nervous was growing a bit. Coming in, she saw nobody else but Hisoka in the room. Remembering her place, Kiyomi would head towards the desk. But around a few meters, she made a deep bow. ''You requested me to come, Lord Hokage-sama.'' Kiyomi said. She was starting to get curious. No ANBU guards?

"You know I can do things myself." Hisoka said in reaction to Kiyomi's nervous looks. "Like opening doors and defending myself." He gave her a look as he sat down behind his desk. It was mostly empty for a change, no work piling up. "But yes, we requested you to come here." Hisoka shot a look past Kiyomi as if he was watching something in the nothingness behind her. "It is about your progress so far."

Right at the end of Hisoka's sentence, the door was closed. Out of the shadows, a hand had appeared to close it. Fully coming out of the shadows, producing no sound, Meisa stood near the door. Instead of the usual smile on her lips, there was a more stern expression. Like she wasn't enjoying to be here or maybe she was mad at Kiyomi. The woman said nothing as she took the position near the door and seemed to let Hisoka do the talking.

Cursing mentally that she didn't have Samehada, Kiyomi was a bit surprised by Meisa's appearance. At least, she could hear the door closing and had a hunch it was Meisa. She wouldn't turn around to look at the woman, as it would be rude towards Hisoka to turn her back towards him. But his words kind of made her feel more nervous. Progress? ''Hokage-sama, may I ask what progress you are talking about?'' Kiyomi asked. There were several answers going through her mind. And one was one she wouldn't like for one bit.

Hisoka wasn't the least surprised by the appearance of his assistant and hardly graced her with another glance. "Your progress as a kunoichi." He replied. "You know of course that we have been checking up on you. Watching your progress. You have proven to be strong, resourceful, skilled and you have shown you can handle your own in solo missions. Yet you are still a Chuunin." The Uchiha leaned back into his chair. "What progress did you think I was talking about?"

''I wasn't sure, Hokage-sama. I was just wondering. Sorry for my rude question.'' Kiyomi said. Truth be told, she hoped that she had managed to avoid that question. It wouldn't do any good now to bring up Matatabi. Hisoka just complimented her in a way. That meant he was thinking well off her. Why else would he do such a thing? Kiyomi wondered if she was allowed to straighten her back, but decided to keep showing her loyalty and respect towards the Fourth Hokage.

Hisoka pondered as he watched her, but didn't tell her to straighten up. "Of course, we can't see everything. Tell me, how is your progress with the Nibi?" He asked after a pause. The Two Tails burried into this girl was often on his mind as he had no idea of figuring out what the beast was really like.

Kiyomi froze. She was already standing still, but she froze. Like her heart briefly skipped some beats. The question Hisoka asked was one she didn't want to answer. But she couldn't ignore or run from it. Besides, she had said she wouldn't run. ''The progress is good. I have it.. under control.'' Kiyomi said. Hoping that the answer would satisify Hisoka, Kiyomi tried to keep her cool. Somehow, this was more scary for her than a fight with a jounin or high ranked enemy.

There was a hesitation before she spoke and it made Hisoka frown. He knew what he was going to demand if she wasn't going to be honest with him. "If that is the case you won't mind if I check the seal later, will you?" He asked the girl before him before his eyes moved to Meisa for a second as if he were to confirm something. "Either way, that is good. Let's get to the matter at hand. Your progress has been significant and Konoha's forces are always looking for more members. That is why I would like to propose a promotion. That is if you accept of course."

''I wouldn't mind, Hokage-sama.'' Kiyomi answered, with a more confident tone. There was no escaping that Hisoka would check on the status with Matatabi. For a moment Kiyomi was pondering on how it would go, only to be surprised. Almost she had looked up to Hisoka. A promotion? ''I would be honored to serve in any way you find fitting.'' Like she was putting emphasis on it, Kiyomi dropped on one knee, still having her head lowered.

Hisoka couldn't help but smile slightly. Of all the Hon he knew Kiyomi was by far the most polite one. How strange for a child of Hiron to grow up like this. He leaned forward again. "Well then Kiyomi Hon. I would like to offer you a position of Jounin on the Konoha forces. This will, of course, be an extention of your duties as apprentice if not more." He looked down on the kneeling figure. "Do you accept?"

It was strange. She had always looked forward to this. Always thought she would jump a meter in the air. Expecting that somehow, everybody that supported her would come out and there would be some kind of big feast. That she would feel proud. But she didn't. It was more like she felt something heavy on her shoulder. Nothing like the happy thoughts she had when thinking about if she would ever get promoted. To see her training and growing experience would be acknowledged. ''I would accept, Lord Hokage-sama.'' Kiyomi said. Even the tone made her feel a bit weird. She sounded polite, but not that happy. Only to figure out that it wasn't something to be happy about. Being a jounin was something you had to be serious with. That made her a bit happy. That Hisoka was serious with her progress.

"Then it is decided." Hisoka said as he rose from his seat. "But there is something more I'd like to tell you. Something more that I would like to burden you with. Something else I need to you do for me."

Around Kiyomi, lines would suddenly appear. And they would alarm the girl by sending out some bright light. Meisa had formed the required handseal to activate her Sealing Trap. It would keep Kiyomi on place, restraining her from everything but talking. ''Don't worry. It is just that we don't want to take any risk, Kiyomi.'' Meisa said. Slowly she walked forward, passing Kiyomi, to stand next to the desk of Hisoka. ''You have nothing to worry about. It is simple actually. I think it will sting a bit, but stay calm.'' The sealing would change. Instead of only restraining Kiyomi, the lines started to move. Towards Kiyomi. The sealing formula was literally moving inside Kiyomi, going through her skin. ''Now, I think that Hisoka will be revealing what your new burden is going to be. If you will fail us, the sealing technique I have placed on you will cause your heart to stop. I already am aware that your Tailed Beast might hinder that, but over time, the sealing will adapt to your body. Unless I release it. I hope you understand we do this for the safety for Konohagakure.''

---

A few moments later.~

Her head shot up. The green eyes of Kiyomi widened as she heard the words of Hisoka. What? For a moment she was scared, but she had held back Matatabi. Mainly cause she had been afraid he would suddenly appear and make the situation worse. But this secret? She had never expected it. ''I-I..'' Kiyomi stuttered. This changed everything. Looking down, lowering her head, Kiyomi was silent. What could she say back? The strange chakra that was Meisa's sealing technique would end her life if she would say it. Though Kiyomi wanted to see how good Meisa was with her sealing, she knew better. Hisoka chose those for positions like this not just for the fact he had an affection for them. Besides, she could do this. Carrying this secret. ''The Hokage can count on my undying loyalty and service.'' Kiyomi said, a voice that held no emotion.

"Good." Was the only thing Hisoka said. "This seal will stay in place. So I hope you are good with keeping secrets. " He took a step away from Meisa and returned to his former position behind the desk as if nothing had changed. "Please rise then Kiyomi Hon, Jounin of Konohagakure. That you may preform your duties well."

Having a more worried expression on her as Meisa viewed the young girl. Barely at an adult age and the girl was a jounin. Impressive skill, having the respect of so many and great will power. That was what Meisa saw in Kiyomi. Only she wondered how good Kiyomi would be with her new duty. Taking a step backwards, standing now at Hisoka's flank, she would just observe. Like she always did.

Rising up, Kiyomi felt now suddenly strange. Knowing such a secret was something she could keep. It just changed a lot of things. ''I.. I am grateful for this promotion, Hokage-sama.'' Kiyomi said. Making a deep bow, Kiyomi tried to calm herself down. She was a jounin now. Even though she had learned something, that shocked her, she would keep her cool. ''May I request one thing?'' Kiyomi asked, making another bow.

"You may." Hisoka answered, looking over the girl before him. "And I can see if I can fulfill it." 

''I don't want to be spread that I am a jounin. I am not planning on celebrating... this. If that is something reasonable, Hokage-sama.'' Kiyomi said. A lot of people would be happy of her. And proud. Finally she had made another step towards her goal and dream. Only she felt it was wrong to celebrate it. The thought she once had, of everybody saying how proud and happy they were for her was erased. In time, people would hear or find out she was a jounin. Until then, she would rather keep it to herself.

Instead of Hisoka, Meisa decided to answer. ''It is up to you. Some might find out, like the Jounin Commander. But I doubt we will spread it. It is something more personal, Kiyomi. Do you have any other questions? Cause I believe it is in your right to ask them now. As it is our right to decide if you may know the answer.''' Meisa said. The way how Kiyomi acted made it certain for Meisa. Kiyomi had been a good choice by the Hokage.

Thinking about it, she had so many. But she already knew the answer for it. Shaking her head lightly, Kiyomi answered. ''No. I have only one left. May I... May I leave for a bit?'' She requested. Kiyomi had to think about what she had learned today. Hisoka and Meisa had told her something that really changed the way how she thinking about something. It wasn't affecting her goal, but it was certainly something she wanted to think about.

Hisoka nodded. He understood that the information given was a lot to take in for a child and while he could feel pity for her, he also felt like he had done the right thing. The Hokage would have another guard. "Think about it and then please return. I still wish to have a conversation with you about the Nibi." He said.

Making another bow as she slowly walked backwards, Kiyomi was already thinking about everything that had been said. Turning around, she faced the door. Her right hand pushing the handle down as she opened the door. Closing it behind her, it was like the secret now hit her in the face. The weight increased. Still, she show nothing while calmly walking away. She was in need of some fresh air.

Meisa had been silent until Kiyomi had left the room. ''What is your true opinion regarding Kiyomi?'' The woman asked. Placing her hands on her back, she walked to the side of his desk, the right side. Meisa was aware that a lot of people looked up to Kiyomi. Even while she had tried to keep her distance, wanting to stay objective, she admired the young girl too. It wasn't just like that every person could shoulder the same things she was bearing. Still, Meisa was curious to Hisoka's opinion.

Hisoka's eyes seemed glued to the door through with Kiyomi had just left. "She is... someone that needs to be ... guided." He said slowly. "She is strong and has a great will. But she is just a child and she has flaws. Yet, I think we might count ourselves lucky that we have her on our side. She has shouldered much already and we both know how painful shouldering a burden can be. So I expect you'll look out for her too and not only for her. After all we still don't know how the Nibi's condition actually is." He looked up to his friend as he finished.

Sideways, Meisa looked back at Hisoka. ''I couldn't agree more.'' Meisa said. ''Though we also need to keep in mind, this is what she is striving for. Being Hokage isn't about being the strongest in combat. It is being the strongest in taking the right decision. Such as ordering a fourteen year old girl to shoulder the fate she has. I don't like what we're doing, but on the other side, I think we have no choice in this.'' Meisa looked away. It was known to them both that Kiyomi had a family of her own. But as a woman and a mother of her own, Meisa couldn't help to think how Keiko likely thought of it. To have a daughter that was in the eyes of some people, nothing more than a deadly weapon. Not even thus a person anymore. No, a weapon in service of a village. ''I will look out for her and the Nibi. Once she is back, I shall arrange some measures to make sure that we will have people watching her. Agree?'' Meisa asked.

"I'll check the seal myself. I might not have used my Sharingan in a while, but I can still do that. I'll inform you of the details after the inspection." He said while nodding to Meisa's words. "Then we can decided if we need to take more measures with her. And I am not doubting the decision that was made." Hisoka rubbed his hands together. Kiyomi's life would change, of that there was no doubt. He just hoped the change was not too much.

Slowly heading towards the door, Meisa answered back. ''I am curious to what we'll find out. She is interesting.'' Meisa then slowly paused. Turning her head, to throw a look sideways towards Hisoka, she had little smirk on her lips. ''I will be soon back. Though we need more information on if she is a stable and capable Jinchuriki, I will already prepare some measures. If that is okay with, Hokage-sama.''

"That is fine." He replied as he watched her leave. "Oh, and Meisa," he stopped her before she could go. He hesitated slightly and then asked: "How is she doing?"

Meisa was about to slowly disappear into a shadow. Not turning around, the woman was silent. It took several moments before she was heard, answering Hisoka's question. ''I think she is doing great.'' With that said, Meisa would sink away into a shadow, erasing every trace of her in the room.

[Little Alice]

Hiroshi's Advise
The Knowledge of the Yellow Wolf

A collab between Fox and Alice
Time : Thirteen months after the start of the timeskip.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

The expression on her face was serious, but calm. With a steady pace, the young girl was walking towards the Hon compound. Though part of the proud and mighty clan, Kiyomi wasn't living in it. Still living with Hiron, Aimi and Keiko, Kiyomi did visited the compound now and then. After all, she wouldn't want to miss some of the people that were very close to her. Smiling and nodding, the young girl greeted several Hon's. Wondering why they were all nice, while it had been the opposite when she had been much younger, Kiyomi decided to focus on her goal. After asking around, she heard that the person she was seeking was at the Hokage Monument. This made Kiyomi smile as she could find that with ease. Turning around, she stared from the Hon compound at the Hokage Monument. Though she couldn't see him, Kiyomi was sure that he was there. Well, she had been told he was there, so she felt a bit silly now.

After some time, Kiyomi had reached the Hokage Monument. Looking around with her green colored eyes, she was a bit distracted by the view over the Leaf. Looking at it, she could understand why Hiroshi was here. Probably his spot to think or ponder. Kiyomi wondered where her spot would be, but then knew it. The forgotten old training field. Where Hiron had planted flowers and had trained in his younger days, at her age.

" What a pleasant surprise to see you, up here. Somebody at the compound must have told you, Kiyomi-chan. Join me for a while if you would."

Hiroshi Hon was sitting a top the head of the First Hokage - his favorite place for thinking and relaxing in general. It offered him a good look over the village he valued so much, the inhabitants of the village - and being this close to the founder of the village somehow calmed him. As if the First was really in the statue, comforting him with his presence. He was also using this place to think about missions and trainings with his team - the former Team 6 of Zakito. And now, he was pleased with a most welcomed visitor.

" I feel good at this place, Lilia-chan. As if the First was here with me. Now, would you honor me with your presence as well ? I am sure there is a lot we can talk about." He was talking with Hirudora for most of the time when on the statue - his tiger companion posessed a great deal of wisdom. Now, he exteneded his hand towards Kiyomi in a friendly gesture of inviting her to join him.

Surprised that she hadn't see him, Kiyomi smiled and nodded. Heading towards her old mentor, Kiyomi took his hand to sit next to him. Glancing at the village, Kiyomi sighed and wasn't sure how to start. They had indeed some things to talk about. ''Good to see you again, Hiro-sama... But my name is Kiyomi. Kiyomi Hon. The name that my mother gave me.'' Kiyomi said, feeling a bit uneasy as she wasn't sure how Hiroshi would react to that. For a moment she also wanted to hide the scar at her right eye, as if she was scared he would get hurt, mad or sad when seeing the little white scar.

A wide smile spread on Hiro´s lips." Oh, yes, forgive me please. You know ... old habbits die really hard ... Kiyomi-chan. So I guess your journey was ... saying worth it might be rude, so I will not use it. It appears your journey has rewarded you with the questions you were asking ,Kyomi-chan. You know why I always pick this place for my meditations ?" He was really glad to see her again, and she noted a huge change in her. But that will have to wait.

Kiyomi's facial expression changed to a sad one. She felt a light shiver thinking about the confrontation she had endured. But it was worth it, in a way, yes. ''It's okay, I need.. I need to get used to as well. But it feels good, as if I'm living not a lie anymore.'' Kiyomi told Hiroshi. ''And I think because of the serene peace?'' Kiyomi guessed, not sure if she was close with her guess.

Hiroshi nodded with a smile." When I ended my ten year long journey, even before I went after the Hon Clan or after your uncle, Big Z ... I visited this place first. At this place, I confirmed that the Will of Fire was, indeed burning in my heart. I feel as if the First is with us here. At thad day, I felt as if he was welcoming me back." Hiro was lost in memories, but as he observed Kiyomi, he had to tell her what he spotted." You´ve changed, Kiyomi-chan. I am not reffering to your name ... you changed in ways so subtle not even I am noticing all of them. But I notice several other things - you thread lighter, as if a terrible bourden has been lifted from your shoulders. Your eyes ... despite showing some sadness, are more clean then ever before. And I see, your scar - one of the small hints of change.

Smilling a little bit, Kiyomi knew that he was right. After all, this was why she liked Hiroshi. He knew her too good. Like the others, but he had an unique way of telling her what was wrong before she sometimes noticed it herself. ''You're right... A big one has been lifted from my shoulders. I woke up this morning and felt... alive.'' Shifting her look from him to the village, she nodded to the Leaf. ''It feels like I'm making my own histoy now. Not getting surprised by the past. I've finally managed to close the chapters... Found my answers... And my peace with it. Though I'm not happy with it. I wish that it could've been different.'' She stopped, pauzing for a moment. ''This scar... It keeps reminding me of who I am. I find it strange. It makes me sad... angry... frustrated. But also happy. I... I am not sure sometimes what to feel at times. Do you also have that problem, Hiro-sama?'' Kiyomi asked, looking in his direction.

Hiroshi nodded in agreement." I went through all of this when my journey ended, Kiyomi-chan. Indeed, I managed to leave my past behind ... no matter how troubled I was with it. I felt so alive ... and when we survived the Hon estate evens, I was not feeling that alive. At first, I too was not that happy with the results of my travels ... I wished I would done many things differently. Not arguing with Zakito ... not leaving my clan and village ... not rushing to the fight in the First war ... not offending those poor tanuki looking Suna-nin ... " He was remembering many things he would do differently now, but it was too late to mourn them right now." However, I would gain nothing from it. If you feel depressed, you are still in the past. If you are anxious your are living in the past. Try to make peace with yourself and live in the present, Kiyomi-chan. You have your scar reminding you ... I, for example, have Hirudora to remind me of the worthiness of my journey. And should I lie about my journey being in vain ... you know what will happen to me."

Gently touching the white scar, Kiyomi nodded. ''He will devour you. I remember that, Hiro-sama. It's just...'' Lowering her right hand, Kiyomi sighed. ''I feel guilty for the choice somebody else made. As if I forced my mother to make a choice that killed her... As if I was the one that forced my sibling to hate me. I wish that it would've been different. Not that I'm unhappy... I've you. Hiron-chan. Masami and the others.'' Kiyomi looked at him. She tried to say something, but was struggling with it. After she had mustered some confidence, she told him something.

''Hiro-sama... I've been promoted to become a jounin and the apprentice of Hisoka-sama... But that means I am leaving... I don't want to..''

Kiyomi tried to keep her feelings and emotions under controle, but it felt like she was saying something horrible. Something that she wasn't allowed to say, though it was good news. Why else had she been promoted and invited to be the apprentice of the Yondaime Hokage? Why else had she worked so hard for it, to reach a position like this? But the thought of telling Hiroshi something like that made her feel different about it.

" Yes ... he will devour me. Don´t feel guilty, Kiyomi-chan. Your mother made the choice herself - just as my father, Yamato Hon made the choice that cost him his life - it was to protect me. So is the choice of your dear mother - I am sure she had done so with her best interests on her heart. As for your siblings ... being guided with hatred is a terrible path to follow. While they can´t forgive you for some reasons, the exact reasons why they might hate you, but you - you are better then that. You are better then to be ruled by hatred - take the step and rise above hatred and forgive them ... love them. They need it."

Hiroshi was a bit surprised when she told him about her promotion, but taking her superior combat skills and the experience she gained from her journey, it made sense." If you are to be the apprentice of Hisoka-sama, The Fourth Hokage, then I congratulate you. You showed us remarkable skill and bravery during the siege of the Hon estate and now - you are showing me a remarkable advance in your personality as well ... Kiyomi-chan. If you have to leave, don´t struggle. Take the hand that is leading you towards your future ... but don´t ever forget. It is enough to just reach out with the second hand and Hiron, Masami-chan ... I ... will be there to reach back."

''Thanks Hiro-sama.'' Kiyomi said, smiling with a genuine one now. Looking back at the village, she became quiet for some moments. She was thinking about Hiroshi's words. They brought some happiness to her. ''I will miss Team 6. It's like I'm leaving something very precious to me. All those missions.... people. Every experience I've gained was within that team.'' Kiyomi thought, back to the days when she had started as a genin. Wild, arrogant and downright chaotic, she had tried to be great. Only to keep failing. Until she managed to become a chuunin, in the same year. It made her happy, seeing in her mind a little girl with a flack jacket, that was too big for her, and an arrogant smile. Like if she could take on the world alone. ''I will take the hands, don't worry about that.... Sensei. As for I still think and believe that I need to learn a lot. So I want to ask if... well, I may still call you sensei? Senpai sound a bit.. odd to me.'' Kiyomi asked.

Laughing out a bit at the idea of being called a Senpai, he shook his head." Whatever you will do, please never call me your Senpai ... makes me feel old. If you wish to call me your ... your Sensei, I am honored to be called that way. Team Six is great indeed, Kiyomi-chan. Even in these days, I have some very fine pupils. You and Masami-chan were the first people I encountered from this team, and now, I am officially it´s Jounin Sensei. Times change, indeed. The hands will be always there, Lilia-chan. Don´t be afraid of the storm, Kiyomi-chan ... after all, you are just learning how to sail."

''..But together, aren't we?'' She responded, getting the advise he was giving her. It really made her feel good that she had seek out Hiroshi's advise and help. It was a funny image in her mind. Everybody on a boat, trying to make it sail through a heavy storm. Looking with a grim face, but with a happy glance in their eyes. After all, they were together. Focusing on the conversation, Kiyomi smiled and giggled a bit. ''Guess it's going to take a while before the name will settle down... I do like it. Ki..yomi. Sounds like a nice person, doesn't it?'' Kiyomi asked him as she slowly rested her head against his shoulder.

" All together, Kiyomi-chan. We are all sailing together." Pondering a while on her question, he responded." I have returned quite some time ago and I am still settling down. The Hon Siege did little to help my consciousness ... but we survived. For a time of my journey, I have forgotten my name, Kiyomi-chan ... I was wandering ... it was about after eight years ... I struggled with it. My head felt like it would come asunder, my insides were burning ... but then I remembered my name. It was Hiroshi Hon ... that´s when I first met Hirudora. Your name means pure beauty ... something that is now a worthy description of your personality ... Kiyomi-chan. Lilia or Kiyomi ... Lilia was a great person. Now, you surpassed her, Kiyomi-chan. Be proud about it ... very few can surpass their shadow."

Surprised by his words, the young Hon looked up. She was baffled by his kind words and because she couldn't say anything, she hugged him. A warm feeling, happiness, spread over her body as his words kept sounding through her mind. She wanted to say she wanted him to be there if she would ever become Hokage, but the fact he was here, when she had been promoted was for now good enough. It made her truly proud to be a kin of the same clan. ''You're amazing, Hiro-sama.''

Hiroshi blushed as Kiyomi hugged him, and was even surprised - but returned the hug none the less. And the hug told him everything words could not do. It was now a completely different person. So this is it, he thought to himself. Goodbye, Lilia-chan ... be welcomed, Kiyomi-chan." I am just a man who lived through certain things, Kiyomi-chan. Mastering others is strength, indeed. But mastering yourself is true power. At the center of your being, you have the answer - you know who you are and you know what you want." He hugged her in silence for a few brief moments before adding.

" Hiro-sama is always here for you, Kiyomi-chan."

[Little Alice]

One of the biggest collabs made!

The longest journey begins with the first step.
And along those steps, you can find happiness in even the darkest hours.

A collab between Chromehound and Little Alice.
Time : Thirteen months after the start of the timeskip.

Plot : Hayate has been requested by Kiyomi to come towards a training field, where she wants to discuss a mission together with him.
Time : Likely just before the chuunin exams. Going to be a big collab mission!

*The coding was made in RPG, cause we first posted it as flashback in the current IC, but this is the total collab. Hope you really enjoy the parts. Take a seat and your time. Grab something nice to munch on, cause this is one huge mission. ^^

SPOILER: Click to show

Leaning against a tree, Kiyomi had her eyes closed. A regular looking katana sheathed in a scabbard, on her back, she had her arms crossed and was actually not dressed in her jounin atire. Instead, in her Hokage Apprentice garb and having two shoulder bags at her feet. Waiting, she was wondering where he was? Though he had enough time, Kiyomi was actually wondering if Hayate would come on time. Then again, he would know better than to come too late. She had made sure to let him know it was very important he would be on time.

Adjusting his backpack once again, Hayate made his way to the field where he was supposed to meet up with Kiyomi. She had told him that they would be taking a trip for a mission and hoped that he had packed appropriately for it. As Hayate approached the field he spotted Kiyomi resting against a tree. Smiling he walked towards her. "Good morning Kiyomi-sama. I hope that I am not running late."

Looking up, Kiyomi opened her left eye. A little smile crept on her lips. ''No, you're on time. We're running a bit short on time, so sorry but the briefing won't be about all the details I have. To start, I don't have that much details to share.'' Kiyomi told him, skipping the usual greeting and talk she enjoyed having with Hayate. It would just give the signal that she was very serious about the mission they would do together. ''That said, you're not allowed to talk about this mission. With nobody. If there is a person, maybe the Jounin commander, but nobody other than him. Got that?'' She asked him before she would continue on the briefing. It was pretty important he would keep this mission between them.

As Kiyomi grew serious Hayate paid close attention. So this mission was to be a secret one, interesting. His curiosity for this mission only increased as Kiyomi spoke. Understanding that she wanted a confirmation of his secrecy, Hayate nodded. "You have my word Kiyomi-sama. I will tell no one." His tone was serious and he hoped that she believed him. He would never do anything that would compromise Kiyomi, and so he would keep his word, even under the threat of death.

''Good. Cause we won't be allowed to wear any headbands this time. Nothing that could trace us back to Konohagakure. Neither can we rely on any reinforcements or such when we're in a pin.'' Kiyomi continued after Hayate had confirmed he would keep this between them. There was still a little bit of doubt, but Kiyomi decided to trust him on this. After all, he had proven himself to be allowed to come with her on this mission. ''The mission is actually to put it very simple an assassination mission. We need to go in and kill a certain target. Nothing out of the rare things. The problem is that we've a limited information and the target is expecting us.'' Kiyomi told Hayate, waiting to see if he had any questions now.

Nodding again as she mentioned that they would not be allowed headbands or anything linking them to Konoha, Hayate thought about her words. So this was to be an assassination mission, huh, Hayate thought that there was some part of him that should have something against the idea of an assassination mission but as he thought about it he realized that he was fine with it. He trusted Kiyomi enough to know that anyone who she was targeting for execution probably deserved it for some reason. He smiled slightly as she mentioned that their target expected them. "They may know we are coming, but there is no way they could truly expect us. Not when we have you."

Kiyomi almost scoffed. If he would know better, then he would realize how that would have sounded. ''That is an advantage we have. They aren't expecting us, at all. Rather somebody else.'' Kiyomi told Hayate. Thinking about the other details, she pointed to one of the shoulder bags. ''I have packed in some supplies for a mission of around three days. Nobody will miss us as I have taken care of that. If somebody will somehow ask you where you have been, we have been training in an isolated place to hone your skills. After all, I am intending to permit you to join the Chuunin exams once they are upon us.'' Kiyomi told him on a serious tone, but gave the hint away she had faith in his skill, even while he was just a genin.

At the mention of Kiyomi permitting him into the Chuunin exams, Hayate's eyes widened in surprise. He had hoped to be able to join the exams, but he wasn't sure whether or not he was ready. To hear Kiyomi had faith in his abilities filled him with a flush of pride. "I have brought some things with me as well." He said, gesturing to his backpack. "I hope that it will be enough. I have nobody that would really miss me anyways so this should work well." Hayate let out a sad smile, waiting to see if Kiyomi had any more details to share.

So it was time to head out. Picking up a shoulder bag, she reached it out towards him. ''Then you may carry the lighter one. Just also remember to stay cautious at all time. You may realize more people will miss you than you can imagine.'' After saying that and giving him the shoulder bag, she took the remaining on and checked her weapons one last time. Then she glanced at Hayate. ''Oh, I forgot one thing. I need to be sure you're out cold. So we can do this either quickly or slow. Your choice.''

Grabbing the bag from her, Hayate swung it up over his shoulder. Adjusting the weight until it was comfortably balanced, he looked back at Kiyomi in time to hear her last comment. Wait, she needed to knock him out? Hayate hesitated slightly. He rubbed his jaw for a moment before grinning nervously. "Well... I suppose if this how it's gotta be I would prefer quickly." Hayate locked eyes with Kiyomi, waiting for the attack that would knock him out. A small part of him felt hurt that she didn't trust him enough with where they were going to keep him awake for it, but Hayate focused on the fact that she had chosen him for this mission. That had to show that she trusted him, even just a little. And Hayate put his faith in her once again, trusting that she had her reasons for keeping things so secretive.

Waiting for a second, Kiyomi raised her right hand, dressed in a fingerless glove. Gently she poked with her indexfinger against the forehead of Hayate, but kept her finger at the forehead of her friend and student. ''Don't worry. It will sting for a second.'' She told him before he would feel a zapping or rather stinging sensation rushing through his body. Her mastery of Lightning Release was showed in that second as she knocked him cold, but wouldn't allow him to fall on the ground, catching him. ''Embrace the darkness.~'' She whispered as the darkness would fall upon him.

---

Some time later,
Somewhere in the Kanashi Ocean.

[/i][/b]

Kiyomi sighed as she opened her eyes. Leaning against the big mast, with her back against it and holding her right hand over her cargo sack, she looked around. The ship was making good progress towards the island they were heading towards. Already they had managed to pass the Taro Island without any problem and so far, Kiyomi couldn't see any problem that would rise up. Patting the big sack next to her, she mumbled something. ''Wake up time, Hayate.'' Kiyomi said with a rather amused tone as she opened the sack further. Knowing it would be bad if she would seal off the sack completely, she always had left it a bit open.

Hayate woke up as light spilled over his face. His whole body felt numb and as he tried to stretch out his stiff muscles he realized that his movement was restricted. Everything around him was dark except for the shaft of light coming from an opening above his head. Shifting his body slightly, Hayate moved his head closer to the hole. "Am... uh, am I gonna be stuck in here much longer?" He asked hesitantly, squinting his eyes against the bright light from outside whatever it was he was stuffed in.

''If you keep asking such stupid questions, I might consider that.'' She asnwered back, still amused as she looked around. The sailors were given new instructions as they were clearly nearing the island. However, instead of a port or a dock, they were heading towards a beach. Scoffing, Kiyomi glanced at Hayate. ''You did snore and almost caused some troubled. It was hard to convince you were a sack of rice when I was at a port, trying to get you onboard of the first ship.'' She told him.

Hayate smiled at her answer. Stifling a small laugh he replied. "Well I have to say, it is much harder to control myself when I am unconscious. I must be one ugly sack of rice though." Realizing that he was probably going to be inside the sack for at least awhile longer, Hayate adjusted himself until he was in a slightly more comfortable position. At least this way he wasn't straining anything. "Sorry if I caused any trouble for you." He added quietly.

''Don't be too sure about that. To be honest, I suspect..'' She paused as the amusement vanished from her tone. Though her facial expression didn't change, the tone clearly did. It was more grim and serious. ''Once the boat embars on the beach, they are going to hit us. My plan to try to sneak upon them failed and now we're going to pay a little price for it.'' Kiyomi informed Hayate before patting the sack. ''Then again, I doubt they will send a lot at us, so it might be a good warming up eh?''

Grumbling slightly as she patted him once again, Hayate heard her change in tone. "Shall I take them all down from here then?" He asked half jokingly. If they were going to have a fight on their hands, Hayate hoped that he'd at least be allowed out of the sack for it. It would be much harder otherwise. The numbness had mostly left his body, and despite the uncomfortable position he was forced to stay in, he was ready for whatever they were about to face.

Scoffing, Kiyomi rose up from her position on the deck of the ship. They were barely at a distance from the beach. ''I would suggest to be my guest, but you're my secret card in this mission. You know, being infamous has its disadvantages.'' She replied back, rolling with her left shoulder as she looked around. There was no sign on the beach of anybody. Neither an animal nor a person. For a moment, Kiyomi was tempted to summon Samehada as she was unable to do any sensory jutsu herself. ''Think you could come out of the sack if you want that. Just prepare yourself for what may come.''

Grinning, Hayate shuffled his way to the opening of the sack. Poking his head out he looked around briefly before looking at Kiyomi. "Did you kidnap me to go on a vacation? This looks like a nice beach to relax on." His tone remained amused, but his eyes were on the lookout for any threats. He hadn't spotted anything, but if his experience taught him anything it was that looks could be deceiving. "If you'd prefer, I could remain hidden in this old sack to surprise whoever it is that's greeting us. But I must say it would probably be nice to stretch out my legs a little." Hayate gave Kiyomi a small smile before looking around once again, checking his surroundings. It was a good thing he didn't get seasick, otherwise his journey in the sack would probably not have been as pleasant.

Kiyomi glanced at Hayate before looking back. The ship was just meters away from the beach. ''I think that won't work if they have any sensors or such. I kind of rely on the fact your clan managed to keep your blood line ability more or less secretive. Even I still am learning about it when we train or spar. That said, I doubt an outsider could know about it more than we do. So see its as a challenge.'' Kiyomi's eyes gained a little glint as a smirk crept on her lips. ''You only can use kenjutsu, earth release ninjutsu and such. Don't try to use your clan's jutsu until the time is dire or when I give the order for it. Got it?''

Hayate looked back at Kiyomi as she told him not to use his clan's ability. Well this would be interesting. He grinned and nodded. Pulling himself out of the sack, Hayate stretched out fully, the feeling of relief flowing through him. He stood beside Kiyomi on the deck of the boat and pulled out his staff. "So, no clan stuff. Got it. Well, this shall be fun then." The smile remained on his face as he twirled his staff around and settled in a ready position.

Nodding, Kiyomi watched the edge of the forest. The ship landed on the beach and she was expecting a welcome party at any moment. Only there was no fireball in the air lunging towards them. No people rushing towards the ship. For a second, Kiyomi looked over her shoulder. Nothing. ''That is odd.'' She mumbled, while the sailors started to begin their preparation. Frowning, Kiyomi placed her hands on her hips as she waited. ''I really was expecting a welcome party. After all, this whole island is mostly going to be hostile against us.'' She continued to mumble. ''At least, once they have figured for who we are doing this mission for.'' Then she glanced at Hayate. ''I suspose you haven't picked up a sensory jutsu when I wasn't around, have you now?''

"Ha, a whole island that wants to kill us... You really do bring me to the most fun places." Hayate grinned, looking sideways at her. Turning back to the shore he tried to make out any evidence of enemies, but he could see none. "I am sorry Kiyomi-sama but I do not know any sensory jutsu. If you get me on the ground I can use my hiding like a mole technique to make out any disturbances, but that's unfortunately about as much as I can do at the moment." Hayate gave her an apologetic shrug before turning back to look at the beach and the forest. "We could always do this the old fashioned way?"

''That would be amusing. But as much as I wouldn't mind to cause a good ol bonfire, I need to implore we keep a low profile. The longer we can avoid that the enemy knows we're here, the better.'' She told him. Walking to the edge, Kiyomi leaped over the reeling of the ship. Landing on the beach, she again glanced around. So far nobody. No other scent or weird sound was picked by her senses. Though even with her heightened senses, she wasn't sure. Pity that both of them weren't able to sense or see any chakra. ''Lets go. I think we would do better to find a suitable position to camp before the sun is down.'' Adjusting her shoulder bag, Kiyomi already started to walk towards the forest edge.

Following her to the edge, Hayate watched her leap down. Jumping over the railing himself, Hayate landed on the soft sand. He reached down with one hand, grabbing a handful of the sand and feeling it as it fell through his fingers. He smiled and looked back up as Kiyomi began walking towards the forest's edge. Jogging to catch up, Hayate fell into pace beside her. Regardless of whether or not they were walking into a trap Hayate felt safe knowing that he was with Kiyomi. It wasn't like he felt that he would need her protection at all, it was more a sense of being next to someone that he trusted with his life. He knew that they worked well together and had no fears that they would be able to overcome anything that came their way.[/spoiler]

[Little Alice]

Flashback!

A mission in the past!
A few months before the actual start of this IC.

The mission that changed a lot,
Hayate (Chromehound) and Kiyomi (Little Alice)

Part II

[/b][/i][/u]

Summary :
Kiyomi arranges a mission for her and Hayate, briefing him that this will be a special kind of mission.
The second part.

First part

Arriving at the forest edge, Kiyomi frowned. ''I feel that we forgot something, oh wait.'' Stopping, she looked over her shoulder. At that moment, screams were heard and she giggled. The sailors were running from the boat as something exploded. ''Well that was that. Come, we need to continue.'' Kiyomi said, rather cheerfully as the sailors tried to put out the fire that had been the result of something exploding on the inside of the ship. Trying to navigate through the dense tropical forest, Kiyomi kept looking around, giving the clear image that she was still expecting somebody or something.

Upon hearing the screams and the explosion, Hayate turned his head back to the beach. Shaking his head amusedly, he laughed slightly. "That was your work I take it?" So much for a low profile." He said, poking fun. Seeing Kiyomi's attention was focused on her surroundings, Hayate decided he would try and get a better idea of their surroundings. "Be back in a moment." He said, before disappearing below the earth. While he moved through the earth, Hayate felt the world around him. He could feel a few small disturbances in the earth, and sense several smaller lifeforms. It was clear to him that there was nothing in the nearby area aside from him, Kiyomi, and whatever wildlife inhabited this forest. Popping back up beside Kiyomi, he spoke. "The coast appears clear for now. Only thing I could sense were forest animals and us. If they are planning a trap for us it doesn't look like it will be here."

Like he had asked, she had waited till he was back. When he brought in his report, she nodded and then looked around for a last time. ''That is a bit disturbing. It doesn't mean that we are safe. To be honest, I have little intel on what they can throw at us. For instance, we don't know if they can supress their chakra or if they will strike from the skies. But I think the diversion will lure some of their attention. Meaning we can try to move a bit faster. Come.'' With that said, Kiyomi started to jog and then using a few jumps to get on top of a branch. Waiting a second, she would then jump from branch to branch at a fast pace. Already a plan was forming inside her mind as she started to think about the next step.

Nodding his head in agreement, Hayate moved to follow in behind her. Leaping up to a tree next to hear he kept pace with her, leaping between branches. Hayate trusted her to lead him to their target, after all, she was the one with all of the intel. So for now he simply follwed, keeping himself prepared for any possible trap or ambush. Whatever, or whoever they were dealing with sounded like they posed a significant threat, and Hayate did not wish to be caught unaware.

While they were traveling, Kiyomi looked over her shoulder. ''We need to plan this really carefully.'' She told him as she jumped towards another branch. ''So far the odds are against us, but they don't mean we can't finish this mission without a success. They know some things about me, but nothing about you. At least, not to be mean or such.'' Landing on a branch, Kiyomi flashed a sorry smile towards Hayate. ''But other than you're my student, you're an unknown person on this island. That is why I ordered you to not use your clan's ability. Now I just need to change my own disadvantage.'' While she kept leading them, Kiyomi started to weave several handseals before she summoned a cloud of smoke around her. It was clearly a jutsu, but instead of Kiyomi the result of her transformation jutsu was revealed. ''This might help.'' Kiyomi said ,trying to sound differently.

Leaping from branch to branch, Hayate listened closely to Kiyomi. As she mentioned that he was unknown he simply smiled. He in no way found it to be offensive. In fact he understood that it gave him an advantage in this situation. Turning to look at Kiyomi he was about to respond when he saw someone else in her place. Doing a double take, Hayate shook his head just to make sure he wasn't going crazy. Realizing that Kiyomi had transormed herself to disguise who she was, Hayate slowly nodded. Grinning he spoke. "That is a good disguise Kiyomi-sama, though I must say I prefer the original."

The transformed Kiyomi frowned in the direction of Hayate. ''I prefer you not judging looks. Its rather odd you just did.'' She replied back as she continued to lead him. Looking back in the way they were facing, Kiyomi sighed. ''Its only good for a bit. After all, I can easily keep this up for quite a long time with my control and reserves. Problem is that doesn't change the way I fight or my abilities.'' She said, sounding a bit annoyed. Sgihing again, she glanced at him. ''Which makes me think. We could use your summoning to also scout and help us out. Later, after setting up camp.''

As she frowned at him, Hayate struggled to figure out what he said. Leaping to another branch he spoke apologetically. "I did not mean to judge your look in any way. I apologize if it came across that way. I simply meant that I have grown used to spending time with you and talking with you, and it is strange to see you in another form, yet with you being that same person. My apologies for any offense." Hayate hung his head, a little ashamed, as they continued. He had not meant to upset Kiyomi at all. As she mentioned using Kuromu to scout the area, Hayate simply nodded. The dragon had grown bigger, and his ability to fly would certainly be an asset in scouting out their surroundings.

Hearing his response, the frown of Kiyomi was furrowed as she then shook her head. ''I know. Your words actually made me think back when I took my birth name.'' Kiyomi told him, but didn't continue about that. After they had travelled a bit, Kiyomi slowed down as she looked around. There was a clearing nearby. A relatively good spot to make camp. Pointing to it, Kiyomi made a handsignal. After all, they first were in need to secure the place and making sure that nobody would be around. Dropping out of the tree, Kiyomi looked around. There were no signs of a person. No scents or sounds. Walking to the clearing, she kept high watch over her surroundings.

Kiyomi's answer made Hayate curious, but he decided not to press it by questioning her. As they arrived in the clearing, Hayate watched as Kiyomi dropped to the ground, surveying the area. He opted to take the high ground. Moving from tree to tree, Hayate checked their surroundings, looking for any possible signs of enemies, or anything out of the ordinary. So far the area seemed secure enough. Glancing back to the clearing itself, Hayate looked at Kyomi, wondering if she had seen anything yet.

''The area is safe.'' She told him through their earphone communicator. Placing her right hand on her hip, she sighed. For a last time she looked around. The feeling to be wary was raising as she thought where they were. This island wasn't a place for her, as soon as she would be discovered her then she would be in grave trouble. Even with the transformation jutsu, she doubted that would really help. ''Lets make camp and then get some rest.'' She mumbled as she started to look in her shoulderbag for some material to make a comfortable spot. A tent or a sack was something she hadn't packed. After all, she wouldn't get it cold due Matatabi and the Fire Chakra control training she had picked up from Jinkama's training.

Leaping from the trees, Hayate landed in the clearing close to Kiyomi. Nodding his head at her mention of settling in, Hayate plopped down both of the bags he was carrying. "Are we going to be setting up watch?" He asked as he rummaged through his bag. He briefly wondered if Kiyomi had brought a tent or anything similar, as he hadn't thought to pack one. Ignoring the thought, Hayate pulled out the thin blanket that he had packed, just in case the mission was going to take longer than a single day. Looking around he wondered if the blanket would really be warm enough.

''I will set up two shadow clones. I rather wish us to be rested as much as possible. Tomorrow we're heading to the town.'' Kiyomi told him as an answer. Putting a thin blanket on the ground, near a tree, she made two shadow clones. Both of them instantly dashed away. One took up a position in the branches and the other went to hide in the bushes. With that done, she walked towards her blanket and laid on it. Moulding her chakra to warm up her body heat, Kiyomi wondered if she wasn't wasting too much chakra. But it was also good to be already warmed up in case somebody would try to attack or ambush them. ''Good night Hayate. Sleep well.''

The idea made perfect sense and Hayate smiled. Placing his blanket down, he stretched himself out on it, glad that he had his long coat to cover himself. Glancing over to Kiyomi as she spoke, he smiled warmly. "Goodnight to you as well Kiyomi-sama. See you in the morning." Closing his eyes, Hayate attempted to get comfortable. So far the jacket kept him warm enough, and he hoped that sleep took him before it got colder.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning.
Somewhere on the Sea Country island.

[/i][/b]

Kiyomi's eyes shot open as she quickly rolled to the right. Several kunai impaled the blanket she had been sleeping on. Narrowing her eyes, she quickly scanned the surroundings and tried to figure out where her attacker was. ''Hayate! Hey!'' Kiyomi tried to wake him up with shouting, as she noticed several shuriken heading his way. Pulling out several shuriken of her own, she managed to keep her companion unharmed and was hoping he would wake up from the sounds of the starting battle. Already Kiyomi looked over her shoulder with an angry glance. There you are.

Hearing the sounds of metal clashing against metal, followed by Kiyomi's yell, Hayate woke with a start. Pulling out his staff he leapt to his feet, turning and spinning the staff in one fluid movement. As he spun he knocked down two more shuriken heading towards him with the staff. Looking in the direction of the thrown shuriken, Hayate thought he spotted a figure above them in the trees. Switching the staff into his left hand, he pulled out two kunai from his pocket, keeping them hidden in the folds of his coat. Spinning the staff as a distraction, Hayate turned his body and then whipped the kunai in the direction of his attacker, or at least what he thought was his attacker. Speaking through the earphone communicator Hayate spoke to Kiyomi, careful not to use her name. "Sensei, how many do you see? He kept moving just in case there were any more targets out there, his eyes constantly looking through the shadows trying to find an enemy.

''Three. I don't see them, but hear and smell them.'' Kiyomi responded back. She realized that the enemy was now trying to lure them and creating an opening. Or at least attempt to see what abilities they had. Kiyomi's right hand went to the hilt of her katana as she kept looking around. ''They managed to almost sneak upon my clones. There is one on your right and two on the left. Problem is that I can't really determine what kind of foes they are. The cowards are staying in the shadows.'' Kiyomi whispered, so that only Hayate could hear it through the earphone communicator. Hearing something, she turned her head and noticed several shuriken again heading towards Hayate. The one on his right likely had threw them.

As Kiyomi spoke, Hayate grinned. Only three, well, this should be easy then. "If these cowards want to stay hidden I suppose we'll just have to bring the fight to them." He spoke very quietly through the communicator. Seeing the glint of metal coming towards himout of the corner of his eye, Hayate whipped his body around, pulling out three shuriken and throwing them swiftly towards the shadows. The shuriken that were heading for him sped through the spot he had been standing moments before and struck only dirt. Pulling out a smoke bomb, Hayate slammed it down, waiting for the smoke to cover him before he sunk into the earth.

Kiyomi's senses had indeed been correct. Hayate could feel three large disturbances through the earth, and they had realitvely low level chakra signals from what he could make out. Moving swiftly through the earth, Hayate made his way to the enemy on his right, the one who had tried to kill him moments before. Getting in place behind the enemy, he could sense that the man's life force was slightly faded, as if he were wounded. Smiling, Hayate rose silently from the earth. A kunai in one hand, he grabbed the man and placed one hand over his mouth, and the blade to his throat. Leaning in close, Hayate whispered into the enemy's ear. "You chose the wrong people to attack." Pulling back slightly, Hayate slit the man's throat and lowered his body so that it wouldn't make any unwanted noise as it hit the ground. As he laid the man's body down, he saw that two of his kunai had indeed struck their target. Speaking quietly through the earphone commnuicator he tried to reach Kiyomi. "One down."

''Almost... one down here as well. Don't let the last one escape.'' Was Kiyomi's response. The sound of steel against steel was briefly heard before Kiyomi shot an order through the communicator. ''He is going towards your left. Try to immobilize that punk.'' Kiyomi ordered. She had her sword out and it was stained with blood of an attacker. The last one was now trying to likely flee and report about that the two were better than expected. Or maybe of where they were. Though any information that would be reported would only make the mission harder. Something Kiyomi wouldn't like in this situation.

Disappearing below the earth once again, Hayate sensed the last of their attackers fleeing off to his side. Travelling with speed, Hayate managed to overtake the man and rose to the surface in front of him, holding out a kunai. The attacker, not having time to stop, impaled himself on the kunai. Hayate drove the kunai further into his chest, watching as the man's eyes grew wide with pain and terror. Shifting his weight, Hayate forced the attacker to the ground, still holding the kunai. Leaning in close Hayate spoke calmly. "If you tell me who you are working for, and why they are attacking us, I will make this quick. If not, well..." To emphasize his point, Hayate twisted the blade slightly, opening the wound further. The man coughed up blood, attempting to speak quickly. "I... I don't know anything, I swear! I was just told to kill you two! Please- -" Another spurt of blood coughed up. "Please don't kill me, I was just following orders." Hayate slowly shook his head. "I believe you." With his free hand, Hayate pulled out another kunai and quickly slit the man's throat. Rising to his feet he wiped off both blades before placing them back in his pouch. He took no pleasure in what he had just done, but he wished he had learned more from the man. Speaking over the earphone communicator he reached out to Kiyomi. "Third one down. I am making my way back to you now."

Hayate entered the clearing spotting the other dead attacker and Kiyomi standing with her blade out. Walking towards her he spoke. "So much for a welcoming party."

[Little Alice]

Looking at the corpse in front of her, Kiyomi scoffed. ''They are an annoying bunch. But we need to get a moving.'' She told Hayate. There was a grim expression on her face as she cleaned her blade on the clothes of the person she had killed. Turning around, she sheathed the silver katana back in the scabbard on her back. ''You did it quite nice.'' Kiyomi said before she began to move, towards the east.

Bowing his head slightly in thanks, Hayate moved out to follow Kiyomi. "Do you think that will have been enough to buy us some time?" He glanced at her before looking back in front of him. Hayate really had no idea what to expect with this place that they were in. Despite his lack of knowledge he felt confident that they would be able to accomplish their mission. So far the resistance against them hadn't been too tough.

''Not sure. Best to make some distance and then formulate a plan.'' Kiyomi answered back. She was wondering about that as well. The attackers were more or less genin leveled. So not a real threat. And that was what worrying her actually. They were not send to kill them, but to lure them out to reveal something about themselves. ''Stay on guard. I smell something... Or rather somebody.'' Kiyomi warned Hayate. The scent was strange, as she had never smelled that kind of scent before. It raised the hair on her neck as she realized that the fight had just began.

Sensing Kiyomi growing more cautious, Hayate scanned the area around them. He hadn't spotted anything, but he thought he could detect something... something he couldn't quite make out. Readying himself for anything, Hayate's senses were on overdrive. Nowhere near the level of Kiyomi's enhanced senses, but he felt something dangerous around them.

Kiyomi ordered with a handsignal that they should stop. ''Its very close.'' She whispered as she looked around. With each passing second she could feel her senses tingeling that she should try to run away, as the scent became more and more foul. Now Hayate could likely smelled it as well. It was a weird, but horrible smell. Before she could react, a big badger charged and swept some trees aside as the beast tried to maim with his right claw at the two. Cursing, Kiyomi quickly flipped backwards to try to avoid the slash.

Stopping beside her, Hayate thought he detected a faint smell. A terrible smell. As the massive creature slammed through the trees towards them, Hayate cursed and leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding the giant claw. Pulling out two kunai with explosive tags, Hayate spun in the air and threw them towards the beast, aiming towards its eyes. He landed on a branch and pulled out several shuriken, waiting to see what the beast would do. Glancing to make sure that Kiyomi had landed safely as well.

The beast snorted, causing a strong wind that deflected the weapons. In fact, the explosions caused it to become angrier as it started to growl. Landing on her feet, Kiyomi quickly placed her right hand at the hilt of her katana. She narrowed her eyes as she was sure that this was more of the welcome party she had expected. ''Seems we now really get something on our level.'' She mumbled before she noticed something. A bit of smoke was forming on top of the head of the badger, who glared at the two in front of him. Slowly the smoke was taking shape of a man, who was wearing black clothing, a hood and a mask. This reeks of trouble. Kiyomi noticed that the person glanced more in her direction and already could forsee what the plan was.

''Hayate, you take on the person. The badger will be dealt with. Keep low on your abilities. This is just a little taste.'' Kiyomi ordered as she noticed the badger was rushing forward again, trying to clawing at the two.

As the man appeared on the head of the massive budger, Hayate realized what was going on. "Would you like me to summon Kuromu?" He asked over the earphone communicator. Locking his gaze on the man, Hayate threw his shuriken towards him, hoping to draw the man's attention. Seeing the badger charge towards them again, Hayate leapt away, attempting to gain some distance.

The shuriken phased straight through the main as if he wasn't really there. Kiyomi mumbled a curse as she barely managed to avoid to not be clawed by the giant animal. The claw slashed through the earth and caused rocks, dust and debris to be launched into the air. ''No, keep it on a minium. I just need to-'' She said, but had to move again as the badger tried to stomp on her. With a quick leap backwards, she managed to avoid getting hit. The masked man briefly glanced at Hayate, but clearly the latter wasn't seen as a real threat. Kiyomi seemed to be the main focus for now.

Seeing the man pass him over as if he was nothing caused Hayate to grin wickedly. I guess I'll just have to impress him, won't I? He thought to himself. Leaping from his perch, Hayate landed on the badger's back. Plunging two kunai into its skin to maintain his purchase, Hayate pulled himself up. Pulling out two more kunai, he threw them towards the man. The first kunai had a flash tag attached, and the second one had an explosive tag. Hayate shielded his eyes as the flash went off, and then looked to see what had happened to the man.

Though Hayate managed to stab the badger, the kunai did little more than to irk the beast to attack in a more fericous manner. Hiding behind a big tree, Kiyomi ducked as the claw slashed the tree in half. Rolling away, she managed to keep avoiding to get hit by the beast. Realizing that she was getting driven back, she already had an idea on how to pin down the badger, Literally. Her attention was however caught as she noticed a explosion that caused the badger to whine as it went off on his head. Once the smoke had cleared, the man was nowhere to be seen.

''Out of the way ant.'' The voice of a man was heard behind Hayate as a fist was about to slam against the head of Hayate if he wouldn't try to block or dodge it.

The man's fist connected solidly with - - A chunk of wood that fell down and off the side of the badger. Hayate had used the Body Replacement technique and now stood directly behind the man. Holding a kunai in his hand he thrust it towards the man. "You should never underestimate your opponents." He said, plunging the knife into - - nothing?

Hayate started to hear a low laugh. "That's some advice you should take yourself kid." The man said, turning to face Hayate, the knife still held through the middle of his body. "Any last words?" His look slowly changed to one of puzzlement as Hayate grinned. "Yeah. You should really pay more attention." Hayate turned his wrist so the explosive tag that he'd attached to the kunai was visible. The tag lit up and exploded, blowing up Hayate's shadow clone and detonating inside of the man.

The real Hayate stood perched on a tree above the action, waiting to see if his plan had worked.

The explosion caused the man to vanish as the smoke prevented any sight on it. It also caused the badger to growl and then suddenly slash from the right towards Kiyomi. Who had been distracted as she had caught a glimps of Hayate being in trouble. Just in time, she managed to jump back, but her back hit something solid. A tree was standing in the way. The eyes of Kiyomi widened as she saw the claw coming towards her. Pulling out a kunai, she tried to defend herself as the claw slashed her and the tree. Dust prevented sight of how she was doing while out of the smoke, the masked man re-appeared on the head of the badger. ''That was one.''[/i] He mumbled before looking and trying to see where Hayate was hiding.

Hayate's sight of the man was lost in the smoke, but he saw the man reappear at the head of the badger. As the badger launched itself forwards to attack, Hayate noticed that Kiyomi was stuck. Leaping from his perch he realized that he was nowhere near close enough to block the badger's attack. He would have to trust that Kiyomi could protect herself. Turning his attention back to the man, Hayate tried to formulate a new plan. Clearly the man had a way of making himself partially intangible to avoid damage. If Hayate had the option he would summon Kuromu to make use of his Wind Release and see if he could destabilize the man. But, Kiyomi had instructed him to find another mean of eliminating the threat, and so Hayate kept to the shadows, attempting to find a new way to get rid of the man.

Damage proof!
Music for the battle.

[/i]

Out of the dust, lightning started to crackle. It created a menacing sound as Kiyomi's transformation jutsu had worn off. Blood was seen on her clothing as the sharp claws of the badger had managed to go through the clothing and mesh armour underneath it. Furthermore, the mood of Kiyomi was very low as she looked with a pissed off look in the direction of the badger. Scoffing, she straighten her back a bit as she ran her right thumb over the cut that was on her stomach. Some blood dripped on the ground due her action, but she paid no attention to it. ''I am going to make you pay for that.'' She hissed as she spread out her footwork and started to weave several handseals.

Placing her right hand at the ground, nothing seemed to happen. But the badger slowly turned darker as something blocked out the light. With a crash, something big landed on top of the badger. Big fangs, claws and a huge amount of fur made a loud growling sound as it started to attack the badger. Kiyomi watched how Ger, her and Hiron's personal summoning, started to fight with the badger. The summoning technique that Kiyomi had performed gave Ger the advantage as the badger seemed to be badly hurt. While it still was putting up a good fight, it was clear that Ger was going to win. ''Where is that prick?'' Kiyomi mumbled as she looked around, also wondering where Hayate was.

Hayate heard the massive bear before he saw him. Smiling despite the situation, he watched as Ger fell from the sky and landed on the badger. Well that would even the odds a little. Seeing Ger meant that Kiyomi was also okay, as it had to have been her who summoned the bear. Moving swiftly between the trees, Hayate stuck to the shadows, his long black cloak helping him blend in. He had lost sight of the man and kept an eye out, wary of traps. Hayate's mind was working furiously, trying to form a plan to destroy this ninja who could apparently avoid all damage from physical attacks. This would be much easier if he could use his clan's abilities, or his dragon. But... he had made a promise, and despite the situation being quite intense, Hayate did not yet consider it to be life or death, and thus, he did not need to rely on those options. Rounding another tree, Hayate sent a message to Kiyomi via the communicator. "Sensei, I have lost sight of the enemy nin. Do you have eyes on him? Also... are... are you alright? I saw the badger attack you." Hayate's concern was evident in his voice as he asked her how she was faring. Knowing Kiyomi, she probably wasn't in any bad shape, but he could not help but want to make sure.

Kiyomi heard the question of Hayate and she briefly checked on herself. Slowly the cut was stopping to bleed and it was just one long on her stomach. She would attend later to it. Focussing the chakra of Matatabi to patch herself up wouldn't be something she could do in such a fight. Certainly not with an enemy that was nearby but not in sight. ''I am done fine. Don't worry about me.'' She replied as she glanced in the direction of the two giant animals fighting. Dust was wiped up and Kiyomi couldn't barely see who held the upper hand. The sounds indicated that Ger was more growling than whinning, unlike the badger. However, the foul stench of the badger made it hardly possible for Kiyomi to sense where the enemy was. That was kind of annoying. ''I don't. Can't sense him either. Stay on guard.'' She ordered, though aware that Hayate was likely aware that he shouldn't lower his guard. Placing her right hand on the hilt of her katana, she looked around. Quickly she rolled over the ground, avoiding several kunai that struk the place she had been standing. Getting up on her feet, Kiyomi quickly drawned her katana as she noticed several more coming towards her. ''Check the right. You approach him and try to flank him.'' Kiyomi ordered as she deflected the incoming projectiles.

Hearing Kiyomi's order, Hayate leapt into action. As he moved through the shadows, hopping from branch to branch, Hayate thought he saw a shadowy figure ahead. Moving closer, he kept a high guard up. It appeared as though the shadow was moving, and as he watched, Hayate could make out several small projectiles flying away from the figures position. Got you. Learning from last time, Hayate decided not to try a direct attack on the enemy's body, instead he aimed for the branch below his feet. Pulling out another kunai with an explosive tag, Hayate threw it at the branch, watching as it exploded, separating the branch from the tree. He stayed back a distance, waiting to see what would happen to the man, and wanting to remain cautious, just in case this had been a trap.

The masked man seemed to hear the kunai coming, but it was too late for him to throw a kunai and deflect the thrown weapon of Hayate, It struck the branch just below his feet and as the man glanced down, the explosive tag went off. Kiyomi also saw the explosion and narrowed her eyes, squinting to see if she could notice anything. ''Nice one.'' She mumbled, through the earphone. But as the smoke of the explosive was settled down, the man was standing on another branch, dropping himself to the ground. And not even a scratch. It piqued Kiyomi's interests as how that was possible as annoyed her. ''You got to be kidding me. New plan. I am going to set up a barrier and then you need to strike.'' She instructed Hayate as the masked man charged towards Kiyomi. He drawned a long tanto and started to attack with fast and strong swings. Managing to deflect or dodge the fast attacks, Kiyomi noticed an opening. As she ducked under a swing, she lashed out herself. The silver katana however just phased through the man. The eyes of the girl widened as she then was kicked backwards.

Managing to skidd to a halt, she frowned. What did just happen? Her attack was performed perfectly. But it seemed that her sword just went through nothing. Only the soft sound of a something poofing was heard. But she thought that was the clothing that had been ripped by the silver edged blade. ''This is going to be annoying.'' Kiyomi took a defensive stance as the man charged once more towards Kiyomi. Trying to keep defending herself, she also tried to lure the man to turn his back to Hayate so that her student could surprise their opponent.

As Hayate dropped to the ground, he saw the enemy attacking Kiyomi. Moving forwards swiftly, he watched as she got the upper hand, until her blade passed right through thin air instead of impaling the man. "I suppose I should have mentioned that this guy can apparently phase himself in and out at will." He spoke quietly through the communicator. He had noticed something this time. As the man made himself partially intangible, Hayate noticed that a small part of him appeared to grow misty, almost like a vapour or smoke. He was too far away to make it out clearly, but he was starting to form an idea.

Making sure to stay as silent as possible, Hayate approached the enemy. Whispering through the communicator he spoke quickly to Kiyomi. "If you can force him back away from you, even momentarily, I have an idea that may end this." Even as he spoke he began forming hand seals, hoping that Kiyomi would be able to move away from the enemy nin.

Hearing Hayate, Kiyomi wanted to grumble that it wasn't that easy as it would sound like. But her attention was focused on not getting sliced or cut up by the weapon of the masked man. Deciding to follow up with Hayate's plan, the girl managed to keep up with the man and instead of only defending, she started to become more offensive. If stabs to the stomach and such wouldn't work, then she would try it on a different way. As the man raised his arm for a hack, Kiyomi lashed out. Pouring a little bit of chakra through the silver, it casted to blind the man and giving an opening for Kiyomi to finish her strike. ''Gotcha!'' With a fast strike, the katana sliced through the arm, looking like it had cut off the arm. But then she noticed what it was. Smoke.

[Little Alice]

''Hayate, now!'' With that said, Kiyomi quickly made some backflips to back away from the masked man as she would wait and see what her student had planned. It was still weird to think back what just happened. Her katana had sliced through somebody that could turn his body into smoke? That was a very interesting ability and one she hadn't ever seen before.

Without hesitating, Hayate slammed his hand into the earth. A large dome of solid earth rose out of the ground, capturing both Hayate and the enemy nin inside. The dome was entirely sealed, and as such it was pitch black inside. Hayate could hear the other man whip around. Pulling out a small lighter, Hayate flicked it to life, casting a small light throughout the dome. "What the hell is this!" The man snarled, facing Hayate across the enclosure.

"I have been watching you as we fought. At first I must admit I found your ability to phase yourself out to be quite perplexing. But as I saw more I began to realize that you weren't really phasing, so much as reverting to a different form. Something similar to smoke. Well, I figured the best way to hurt you, would be to trap you in here. Somewhere where you can't just phase out of. As you may have noticed there are no air holes in here, nothing for you to get through. So you see, I am afraid this is the end for you." Hayate's tone was almost apologetic, and he never took his eyes off the other man. The man glared at Hayate, his expression one of clear hatred. Slowly, his mouth curled in an ugly sneer. "Ah but you are stuck in here as well boy! So I'll just have to finish you off before finding a way out of this wretched dome!" Pulling out his tanto, the man began walking towards Hayate, his sneer growing in size, confidence oozing from him in waves.

Hayate simply shook his head sadly, a gesture which stopped the man in his tracks; a look of uncertainty crossing his face, before the sneer once again replaced it. "What's the matter boy!?" He spat. "Are you going to beg for your life? Hayate smiled a sad smile and locked eyes with his enemy. "You should have listened to what I said before about paying attention to your surroundings. If you had been a little more focused you may have noticed this dome shrinking in size around us." The man paused and looked around uncertainly. With a sudden gut wrenching realization he saw that the boy was telling the truth. "What is the purpose of this?" Hayate could hear the waver in the man's voice, he was clearly starting to worry. Good. "You seem to think that I am stuck in here with you, but you never once stopped to think that maybe I could leave here anytime I wanted. Tell me, what happens when oxygen trapped in an enclosed area is exposed to flame?" The man's eyes darted to the lighter in Hayate's hand. Good, he was starting to realize. "The oxygen starts to burn up, and soon there won't be anything left in here for you to breathe." Already Hayate could feel the air starting to thin, it was becoming more of a struggle to breathe properly. His smile suddenly turned wicked as he looked from the lighter back to his enemy. "Any last words? Well, if you do, I would save them, wouldn't want to waste any more of your precious oxygen." With that last mocking line, Hayate stepped backwards, through the wall of the dome and out the otherside. He stood there momentarily before turning to Kiyomi. "Well. This shouldn't be too much longer."

She had seen the dome being formed and hadn't wasted it any time. Sitting on the ground, she had already started to bandage her cut. Later she would patch it up better. Meanwhile, the badger had poofed away after Ger had clearly seized the upper hand. The big bear growled a little when Hayate appeared, but showed no aggression towards the student of his master. ''Good. How are you?'' Kiyomi asked casually, like if they hadn't been fighting against a capable foe. After the question, she rose up and looked in the direction of Hayate.

Smiling warmly at her, Hayate realized that he was wounded. His smile faltered for a moment before realizing that Kiyomi was more than capable of taking care of herself, and she was clearly okay to move. In response to her question, Hayate simply said, "I think I smell like smoke now." Before grinning slyly and turning his head briefly to nod at Ger. The large bear truly was impressive, and Hayate's nod was one of admiration for the beast. "What now sensei? I take it that wasn't our target?"

''Not really. Likely a pawn to test us further out. Maybe the one that led the three genins we killed before.'' She replied as she snapped her fingers. Ger snorted as he poofed away in a large cloud. With that done, Kiyomi checked the surroundings. ''Best is if we move to the city and seek more refuge there-'' She wanted to say more, but then something was blown up. The dome that was created by Hayate was shattered to pieces as rocks were send flying around. Reacting quickly, Kiyomi weaved three handseals as lightning crackled through the air. With the use of her lightning barrier technique, she managed to keep her and Hayate safe from the sharp rubble. ''They just never give up.. Time to end this.'' She mumbled as the lightning would fade and reveal that the field was empty. ''Coward.'' Kiyomi mumbled before glancing at Hayate. ''Are you able to get moving?'' She asked. With their last enemy managed to get away from them, it would mean that the enemy would have some intel on their abilities. Luckily not those who Kiyomi wished to use for their target, but it still bothered her.

Sighing, Hayate shook his head. He had hoped that he would have taken care of the enemy nin. Meeting Kiyomi's gaze he looked away quickly, embarrassed that he hadn't managed to finish the man off. "I am fine to keep moving. I apologize for my failure Kiyomi-sensei. That man escaping is on my hands."

After Hayate was done talking, Kiyomi hummed for a moment. Walking past her student, she patted his shoulder as she started to walk already in a direction. There was no disappointment or any other negative emotion showed on the face of the young jounin.

''You did it well. Come, we shouldn't waste anymore time.'' Kiyomi said as she beckoned him to follow her. Picking up the pace, she used a jump to get to branch and would continue to lead them towards the direction of the town that was the capital of the Sea country. For a moment, Kiyomi considered to use a transformation jutsu again, but it was unlikely that the enemy already was sending another party at them. They would likely first want to hear what their last foe would report in and then need to find them again.

Kiyomi's kind words caused Hayate to feel a little better, but he still harboured doubts over how well he'd actually performed. Shaking it off, he moved out to follow Kiyomi, staying close behind. So they were heading towards the city. Hayate wondered what it would be like, if it would be like Konoha, or completely different. He had never had a chance to travel before and despite the fact that everything on this island seemed like it wanted to kill them, he felt a surge of excitement at seeing a new place. Glancing back to Kiyomi as she moved ahead of him, Hayate's eyes traveled to her wounds. They seemed bad, but it was hard to tell behind the bandages. He hoped that she was alright, and he was worried, knowing that Kiyomi had a tendency to push herself, even if she was in pain. Deciding not to question her, at least until they had arrived in the city, Hayate set his sights back on the path ahead.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three hours later.
Near the capital of the Sea Country.

[/i][/b]

Sitting on a thick branch, Kiyomi looked in the distance. The capital was in sight. Probably around three or five kilometers away from them. Thinking off a plan how to go in without being noticed, she started to think of several ways. It had to be one where the enemy couldn't openly attack them. They would be less able to attack them when they were inside the city and wouldn't pose a threat. With that in mind, she decided to tell her plan to Hayate. ''Listen up. The enemy won't be able to attack us with the civilians around. It could turn the tide against them and it would mean we can move more about. Still, I suggest we both do a transformation jutsu to conceal ourselves at least a bit from the eyes of our enemies. Got it?'' Kiyomi said through her earphone communicator.

Nodding his head, Hayate realized that she was right. He had caught his first glimpse of the capital and from this distance it was hard to tell if it was truly different in style from Konoha. Lost in his thoughts for a moment, Hayate realized that he hadn't properly responded to Kiyomi. "That sounds like a good plan to me, Kiyomi-sama. What shall we disguise ourseves as this time?" He asked. His mind was preoccupied with getting a chance to see the city and he tried to reign in his focus.

''I think you won't like to be a sack or inside a sack, would you?'' Kiyomi playfully asked back before she became serious. She knew they had to transform into something that they wouldn't expect. And that would mean looking like mere civilians. Which wasn't a hard task actually. The other part was to stick together and still not look too supicious. ''I suggest to use the technique to make us look like normal civilians. Then you just need to play along. She answered back, now being seriously.

Grinning from ear to ear as she joked about the sack, Hayate had to bite back a retort. Still smiling while Kiyomi suggested they disguise themselves as regular civilians, Hayate nodded. A thought occuring to him. "I am sorry Kiyomi-sama. This may be an ignorant question, but do the people of this city dress the same as we do back home? I just... I have never really been outside of Konoha to see what other civilians look like." A little flush came to his cheeks as he lowered his head. Hayate was embarassed that he even had to ask, but he wanted to make sure that he wasn't choosing a disguise that would be completely different from what was normal here.

Thinking about it, Kiyomi nodded. ''I believe they do. The climate and culture is similiar to ours. Else we can just use the appearance to look like some travelers. I bet there are plenty about in the capital. Besides, if we look harmless, we can't just be picked out like that.'' Kiyomi replied. Looking briefly in Hayate's direction, Kiyomi noticed he lowered his head. ''Don't worry. Its probably my fault. I should be there to show you more of the world, as being your sensei.'' She told him as she turned her head to look back at the city.

"It is not your fault Kiyomi-sama. It is my clan, my family. If they had their way we would stay hidden from the rest of the world. I've always wanted to get out and see more of it though... I suppose I'm just different than them that way." Hayate looked from the city, to Kiyomi, and then finally settled his gaze back on the city. This was as good a time to start as any. "So... Travelers huh? What's our backstory. Everyone needs a good backstory." His tone was amused as he lightly joked about making up backstories for their disguises. He mostly just wanted to lighten the mood after talking about his clan.

Bringing her right index finger to her chin, Kiyomi briefly looked up to the clouds in the sky. ''A backstory? Lets go with the cliché stuff. It seems that always seems to work.'' She told Hayate. Snapping her fingers, she had one formed up in her mind. ''Its a very simple one. We will take different names. We know each other from... euhm.'' She started to think more about it. ''Lets go with the typical young and stupid couple that is travelling around the world. That would mean we don't have to split up and also can move about and ask some questions around.'' Kiyomi suggested.

At her mention of acting as a couple, Hayate couldn't stop the blush from forming on his face. Turning his head quickly, hoping she hadn't noticed, he pretended instead to be surveying their surroundings. "That... uh... That would probably work." He said, cursing his voice for becoming hoarse. Coughing to clear his throat, he tried to shake the thought from his head. "What would our names be?" Hayate asked, trying to keep moving.

Again, Kiyomi was pondering. ''I think we should take some more foreign sounding names. I mean, if we fall out of line, we can easily say we are from quite some distance. I think I will take the name Kelly. Has a cool ring to it. Ke-lly.'' She answered, with a little smirk on her lips playing as she let the name roll of her tongue. With that choice done, she glanced in his direction as they were moving at a slow pace towards the capital. ''You?''

"Hmm... That is a nice sounding name." Hayate said, wondering if he would be able to pick one on his own. He'd never really thought of it before. It would help, he supposed, if he knew a little more about the world and other cultures. Perhaps he would be able to pick a good name then. Looking down at the ground as they walked, Hayate thought hard before sighing. "I don't really know any foreign sounding names sadly. Do you have any ideas?"

Jumping to another branch, Kiyomi made a quick summersault before she landed on another branch. ''What about,'' She said before jumping to another branch. Then she knew one. ''What about something short and fun? Lars?'' She suggested as she glanced in his direction. Now that was decided, they would need to take another appearance. Kiyomi was forming one already in her mind and a sly grin was starting to appear on her lips.

Lars... Hayate played around with the name in his head. It indeed sounded fairly foreign. Smiling he followed close behind Kiyomi. Seeing her grin, Hayate wondered what she had in mind. He was trying to picture what a Lars would look like in his head, but so far he couldn't come up with anything. He decided that he'd wait to see what Kiyomi looked like first. Then he could hopefully make something similar.

With them getting closer, she knew that they had to use the jutsu around now. ''Time to get going with the plan.'' She said through the earphone communicator. Weaving the handseals, she summoned a cloud of smoke that concealed her. Out of the smoke, her new appearance was shown as she landed on a branch. ''Think we also need to travel over the ground.'' And right after saying that, Kiyomi dropped herself on the ground and landed gracefully. Dusting off her clothes, the shinobi gear she had carried around wasn't to be seen, but was just concealed by the transformation jutsu. Taking a look at her transformation, she was content with it, but wondered about it. ''What do you think? Does it suit me or should I go for something else?'' After the question, she turned to Hayate to see what his reaction would be.

Landing behind her, Hayate observed her new appearance. Cocking his head to the side slightly he smiled. "I think it suits you quite well... Kelly..." He was going to have to get used to that name. It wouldn't serve him well to forget it in the middle of their mission. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully for a minute, Hayate finally had an idea. Forming the necessary handseals, he too summoned a cloud of smoke to briefly conceal himself. As the smoke cleared Hayate's new look was visible. He blushed a little, turning to Kiyomi. "Well, how do I look?"

The look on Kiyomi's face was more or less neutral as she tilted it a bit to the right. ''Like an idiot that likes to talk a lot. But other than that, kinda cute.'' Kiyomi said, merely just teasing him as she beckoned him to follow her. ''Alright, listen up. The game we're playing is a bit a complex, but once you get it, its not that hard to grasp. Currently we are on our own against many. You could say a whole damn army. What is holding them back?'' She grinned in his direction. ''The fact that they can't give away themselves.'' Letting that sink in, Kiyomi waited only one moment before she would continue. ''You see, the leader of the country is the Daimyo. The Sea country isn't a shinobi country like ours. They have likely some military of shinobi on their own. Mostly led in secret by those who tried to kill us. And one of them is our target. I think I don't need to explain, but if we manage to kill that target, we can cripple the secret faction here and free the Sea country a little. See it as charity work, okay?'' Kiyomi continued as they kept on walking towards the city.

Blushing for the third time that day, Hayate mumbled under his breath and looked away. As he turned, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Following Kiyomi as she walked and explained the situation, Hayate soaked in all the information he could. So it seemed like both sides were at even odds for now. It would be up to them to press the advantage. Hayate smiled as Kiyomi called it 'charity work.' "I think I get it. Basically we have to maintain a low profile until we can uncover our target's whereabouts, and then take that target out before the whole army gets to us first?" He asked, his tone sounding mildly amused, yet also serious. He wanted Kiyomi to know that he understood the risks in this mission, and also what they were up against.

Placing her hands behind the back of her head, the look on her face seemed to become annoyed. ''Well that is the fun part. We have an inside guy. So that won't be any trouble. And as long we stay inside the town, they won't send the whole army at us. Likely some tough shit heads that want to shit us up.'' Kiyomi explained. Thinkin further, what she could share, she continued. ''Other than that, I doubt that they will not get cocky. We're on their turf. If that is one thing, they will think they can easily wreck the hell out of us. Besides, you should talk a bit different.'' Kiyomi told Hayate. ''That and we will continue to talk later with the inside guy. Lars-kun.~'' Kiyomi said, trying to practice a sweet tone as she tried to not say Hayate. Normally she had a dislike for this, but it was important for the mission.

Hayate had to stop himself from doing a double take as Kiyomi put on a sweet tone. He half expected a knife to follow her last sentence. Something about the way she said it scared Hayate more than any threat she could have uttered, and that thought alone made him laugh. It was strange hearing her talk like this, and seeing her like this. Hayate was also going to have to get used to being a different person. Transformation jutsu wasn't somehing he used often, and it felt a little alien to him still. Trying to change up his voice a little he replied, "So does this mean if I call you Kelly-chan you aren't going to stab me?" He kept his tone playful, trying to find the right mixture of different yet sincere.

Kiyomi threw a glance in his direction. ''Maybe just a punch for fucks sake.'' She said, changing her voice a bit. She was trying to sound more like somebody she knew and admired. ''Just stick with the plan and don't get cheesy. I will else stick up a blade on your rear and make your damn nose bleed, 'sweety'.'' That was it. The last word was said with sarcasme. A smirk grew on Kiyomi's lips. With the right attitude and tone, she just had to keep playing the role. ''But keep in mind that we're just acting when people are around or when we get the idea they are around. Also, if you get low on chakra, say the line.'' Kiyomi paused as she quickly thought about a line.

''I would like to order some fire.''

Glancing again in his direction, Kiyomi waited to see if he would understood and get it all. The plan would fall or succeed with their act together.

Unable to stop the grin that filled his face when Kiyomi threatened to stab him if he got cheesy, Hayate turned his head instead. She was right though. As much fun as it was to joke around right now, they would have to be careful the closer they got to the city. If they started behaving out of the ordinary, then people might grow suspicious and that could throw their whole plan awry. Hearing the code line, Hayate nodded, commiting it to memory. Keeping the same playful tone, he couldn't help but joke one more time. "I think I would prefer the line, 'I just spilled my drink.' But around you I'm afraid it would be said too often." A small laugh escaped his lips before he could hold it in and he looked to Kiyomi, waiting to see how hard she was going to hit him.

''Heh. Maybe.'' She kept looking at the capital. They were nearing the perimeter of the city and she sighed. ''Play time, baby.'' Placing her right arm around the arm of Hayate, she did kept her surroundings under watch. ''Listen up. I also forgot that when we're in a big place, I won't have anything with my senses. My smell and hearing will be not that great of aid as before. So, both of us have to stay sharp, okay?'' She mumbled as she then looked around with a kind of curious look in her eyes. Her free hand was more less near her hip, actually close to grab something from her pouch if the situation would ever require it.

As Kiyomi wrapped her arm around his, Hayate gulped. This really shouldn't be as hard as it was. Deciding to throw his nerves aside and focus, Hayate looked at Kiyomi and smiled warmly. "Ready when you are." Clasping her right hand in his, Hayate kept moving towards the city. It indeed looked very much the same as Konohagakure. He felt a small sense of longing for home as he looked around at the buildings ahead. Quickly quashing that feeling, Hayate instead focused on keeping up appearances. But his senses never stopped being on alert, constantly searching for any potential threats.

They were approaching some busy streets, indicating they were maybe nearing the shopping or merchant kind of district. Pulling Hayate gently with her in that direction, Kiyomi wished to seek the cover of the crowd. If they blend in, then they wouldn't have too much trouble with seeking the inside guy that they would need to contact. At least, after some other things. ''Think we need to set up a base or place where we can take a rest and form plans.'' She mumbled. Looking around, she also tried to show interest in what some of the shops and stands were trying to sell. Seeing a jewelry, Kiyomi giggled. ''Oh, Lars-kun! Doesn't that one loook nice?'' She pointed with her free hand to one of the necklaces, one made of pure gold. And with a heavy price ticket.

It quickly became evident that Kiyomi wanted them to blend in with the crowds, and Hayate had no intention of doing otherwise. Following her as she dragged him over to a storefront he finally saw what she had seen. Visibly gulping as he saw the price tag next to the necklace, Hayate shifted his eyes back to the golden bauble. The necklace was certainly an attractive piece, but Hayate was fairly certain that Kiyomi was just playing up her interest in it. Deciding to play along, he pulled her in closer to it. "It certainly would look marvelous on you Kelly-chan." He beamed at her. "Is this made of real gold? He asked the shop keeper, reaching out with his free hand to feel the necklace.

He could feel the man watching him warily as he picked the necklace up. "Yes, it is pure gold of the highest quality.'' Looking between Hayate and Kiyomi, the shop keeper got the same look in his eye that a predator does when it eyes its prey. Rubbing his hands together eagerly the man asked, "What's the occasion? Birthday? Anniversary?" Hayate had to surpress a small laugh at the man's obvious attempts at getting a sale. As he felt the necklace in his hand, Hayate could tell that the man wasn't lying about it's quality. His clan's unique affinity with metal allowed him to feel the necklace's properties. The gold felt strange to him as it wasn't a metal he had a lot of experience with. While the shop keeper was distracted, Hayate used his clan's ability to separate a small piece of the necklace, stretching it down his wrist and through his sleeve. He had purposely hidden what he was doing, even from Kiyomi. Unless someone had been watching him from underneath they would have had no way of seeing what he'd done. Using his ability once again, he sealed the necklace back up by stretching the gold between the piece that he had separated. It would look as good as new, but Hayate had managed to keep a chunk of the necklace, which he hid underneath his clothes, attached to the skin near his right hip bone.

Smiling back at the shop keeper, Hayate placed the necklace back on its pedestal. "Well we're actually just traveling the country right now, taking in as many sights as we can." He leaned in close to the shop keeper, almost whispering in his ear. "It's our anniversary coming up soon and I want to get her something special. She seems particularly fond of this necklace over here, but I am wanting to surprise her. Perhaps I could come back at a later time?" Hayate pulled away from the man and winked discreetly. The shop keeper beamed in response. "Young love is such a beautiful thing." He exclaimed. Hayate surpressed a laugh once again, tugging lightly on Kiyomi's arm. "Come on beautiful. We'd better get going if we want to check out the rest of the city." Nodding his thanks to the shop keeper, Hayate turned to keep moving.

Nodding, Kiyomi walked next to Hayate and kept looking around. She was genuinly interested in the town. It showed some similiarities to Konohagakure. But there was another atmosphere. Or was it just her? Kiyomi decided to not pay any attention to it now. With the nice weather and careless walking around, she actually enjoyed it. It had been since long she had been able to relax as she could do now. At least, to some extent. The fact she was keeping her watch up of anything that could be supicious was still there. ''Shall we go and drink somewhere?'' She asked Hayate, still tugged to his arm.

"A drink sounds quite nice right now." Hayate said, offering her a warm smile. The way things were going, Hayate almost forgot they were on a mission. It was nice just to walk like this, seeing a new place, and spending time in good company. He never quite let himself get to the point where he lulled himself into a false sense of safety however, and he made sure to keep a watchful eye on the city around them. Leaning in a little closer to Kiyomi he whispered, "Just be sure not to spill on me. I only brought one change of clothes." He gave her a playful grin before looking around for a nice place to sit down.

A smirk played on her lips as she looked back at him. Raising an eyebrow, she didn't move backwards. It was actually unusually that she allowed somebody that wasn't a relative or knew her for years to stay this close. But she didn't zap or say anything passive aggressive towards Hayate. ''Sounds like a challenge.'' She replied back, a glint in her eyes appearing. After a moment, she looked around and saw a place that had a terras. It wasn't that busy, luckily and provided some view over the busy streets. ''Lets go there.'' She told him, already pulling him to come with her.

Hayate spotted the place that Kiyomi had mentioned. It was perfect. The place offered a good view for them, and it also looked like a friendly place to sit down and share a meal. Smiling, Hayate rememberd the first day that he and Kiyomi had met. It was in a place very similar to this. The memory filled him with warmth and he gladly let Kiyomi pull him along. As they got close, Hayate noticed an empty table and pointed it out to her. "This looks like a nice spot. What do you think Kelly-chan?"

''Seems perfect, Lars-kun!' She replied in a higher pitched tone than usual. Brushing a few locks behind her ear, Kiyomi's eyes quickly shot over the place. It was likely that people would see and think she was just giving it a second glance. It was more that she was inspecting if the place would serve as a good place to keep watch over the surroundings and else able to provide them a way to escape if something would happen.''Wait, wait!'' She said as they would near the place. Waiting till he would pull a chair, she gently pushed him on the chair before sitting on him, sitting with her side to his stomach , putting an arm arounds his neck. ''You know, Lars-kun?'' She giggled as she used her left hand to brush some locks of hair behind her ear again, a smile adoring her lips.[

[Little Alice]

As she pushed him to the chair, Hayate had to fight back the urge to react. To say it was unexpected was an understatement, but he found himself smiling anyways. Hayate truly had no idea how to properly react as she sat on his lap and put her arm around him. He had never been in a situation like this before. But, he had to act natural, or at least look natural and so he did what felt right. Wrapping his arm around Kiyomi's waist, Hayate smiled up at her warmly. "I love it when you do that Kelly-chan." He said, referring to the way she brushed her hair back. "It's very cute." Breaking eye contact for fear of blushing and losing his concentration, Hayate looked around to see if there were any servers nearby.

Giggling on the outside, on the inside Kiyomi was actually disturbed, Is that cute? Why? What is cute about it? She thought to herself, but she kept playing her role. For now, Kelly would be the one that had to be around. ''Lars-kuuun, you didn't even react to my queston!'' She said, leaning against him and using her right index finger to place it against his chin and raise his head. Though she smiled, the green eyes weren't bright green as they were always. Though there was a smile on her lips, the eyes of Kiyomi were dark. ''I spotted two. Keep continue acting.'' Was what she whispered. And on purpose she hadn't told him where the two where. After all, it would likely tempt Hayate to look in the direction or such. ''Shall we share a drink, Lars-kun?~''' Kiyomi asked, using her right index finger to tickle gently the chin of Hayate.

Hayate had to stop himself from looking around as Kiyomi warned him. Instead he looked back up at her. Her eyes were dark and not as green as usual, but Hayate couldn't help but stare. For a moment he forgot where he was again. Then, as she began tickling his chin he snapped back to reality. It felt very strange. Smiling on the outside, he was still puzzled as to why she was tickling his chin. Is this actually what people do? He thought, before realizing that he hadn't yet responded to her question. "That would be lovely. What would you like to drink Kelly-chan?" Fighting the urge to look away, Hayate kept his eyes locked with Kiyomi's. A smile still playing on his lips.

Bringing her finger up to his lips, she half closed her eyes and tilted her head a bit to the right. Then she ticked softly his nose with her finger. ''You may chose! What about that?'' She said as she watched a server coming towards them. Brushing another lock of hair behind her ear, Kiyomi acted like she was interested in the people walking around. Instead, she glanced at a man, sitting alone at a table. He was around twenty meters from them. Her eyes swifted towards another, acting she was interested in a bag a girl had. He was around thirty meters from them. Both seemed to be not that deadly, just bigger than her or Hayate.

Now his nose? He thought. If this is how people act when they are in love, I don't think I'll ever understand. Forming an expression of thought, Hayate pretended to think hard on what to order. Gesturing for the server, Hayate ordered an iced tea and then turned his attention back to Kiyomi. She looked like she was simply taking a friendly look around the establishment, but Hayate knew that her keen eyes were on the look out for anything suspicious. He found himself staring at her for a moment longer than was necessary and he turned his attention back to the table as the server delivered their drink.

Kiyomi sighed as she thought of several things. They had to take care of a base of operations. A way to contact their man inside. Then to plan their assassination. But first things first. ''I would like a glass of water. Thank you.'' She flashed a warm smile to the server, before turning her attention back to Hayate. ''Lars-kun, where do you want to go after?'' She asked him on a curious tone, a smile still on her lips. Kiyomi already started back to plan their next actions. She wasn't in the mood to let anything be ruined on this important mission.

Taking a sip of the iced tea Hayate pondered her question. Smiling up at her he said cheerfully, "Well, I've heard the views of the ocean are pretty beautiful around this time of day. But I also want to see a little more of this beautiful city." Fake sighing he tilted his head a little and shrugged his shoulders. "It's up to you sweetheart. I'll follow you anywhere."

For a moment, Kiyomi was on the verge of saying something that was meant to be pure sarcasm and irony. But it would fall out of line with the person was she acting to be. ''Oh, we could go to the beach. After we made sure that we have went to the hotel.'' Kiyomi replied. ''And maybe we can back to the market or the shops. I did liked that necklace that we saw earlier.'' Kiyomi said it in the higher pitched voice, which was also starting to annoy her. Actually, the whole acting was starting to lower her mood, but she wouldn't let that be shown or noticed. Yet.

Snapping his fingers Hayate made a face like he'd just remembered something. "That's right! We can't forget to check in." He really had no idea if he was being convincing or not, but Hayate would play it up to the best of his ability. He had to surpress a wince though, everytime Kiyomi threw on the high pitched voice. Something about it just seemed wrong coming from her. At her mention of the necklace Hayate smiled. "Of course we can take another look through the market Kelly-chan. They had some souvenirs that I want to bring back home with us as well!"

''Splendid!'' Kiyomi looked around again as the server came back with their drinks. Picking them both up, she offered him the ice tea as it would be hard for him to pick it up from the table while she was still on his lap. ''To a wonderful vacation!'' She said, holding her own drink up for a kind of toast. The irony of her sentence made her smile genuinly as she noticed it herself.

Taking the drink that Kiyomi offered, Hayate raised it for the toast. "And to the perfect company!" He said, his words as genuine as the smile that filled his face. Clinking his glass against hers Hayate found it odd how sometimes he found it much easier to slip into character. Glancing at Kiyomi again, his gaze met her eyes. He hoped that his performance didn't annoy her in any way, and he was still trying to figure out just how much of it was genuine.

Kiyomi took a sip of her glass as she gently kept moving her hand, that held the drink, to calmy make the water move in the glass. ''Also, I want to have some fun. Maybe there is like a carrol in town? I love those stands where you can swing a hammer and then hit the mark as hard as you can.'' Kiyomi said, not meaning it literal. It was code, but she was unsure if Hayate would get it. It was that she was getting on her nerves that she had uncovered two enemies and that they were still there. ''What if we will drink up our drinks and go and see if there is anything fun to do in town, Lars-kuuuun?'~''

Hayate was already midway through a large sip of his drink when Kiyomi asked the first question. At first he found it a mildly strange question, but then he realized that her words were really a cover. Feigning excitement, Hayate's eyes lit up and he beamed. "I love those places! Haven't been to a good one in years. We'll definitely have to take a look around!" He took another large sip from his glass, tilting his head back and glancing around briefly. Hayate thought he could make out at least one of the men that Kiyomi must have noticed. Turning his attention back to her, Hayate smiled again. "Looks like you're going to have to catch up Kelly-chan!" He exclaimed, before downing the rest of his drink in one massive gulp.

Calmly she placed the glass to her lips as she drank it quickly. With that done, she came from Hayate's lap and opened her wallet to lay down the money and some tip for the server. ''Alright, lets head out then.'' She said in a very enthousastic manner. Waiting for him to stand up, she stretched out her hand and waited for him to take it. Already, Kiyomi had a plan to lure out the two and then confront them. They had just to continue playing their act for a bit longer.

Getting up from the table, Hayate took Kiyomi's hand with a smile. A part of him wished they could just sit and enjoy the day. Forgetting about the mission and the danger and just enjoying the moment. Shaking the thought from his head, Hayate moved to Kiyomi's side. He would follow her lead from here, as he sensed she had a plan, and he did not wish to interfere by taking the lead.

Leading them into the crowd, Kiyomi briefly looked around. She couldn't see or sense the two supicious men. There were too many sounds and smells. For a moment, she was a bit disappointed in her heightened senses. But then she noticed an alley. A smirk spread over her lips as she squeezed Hayate's hand for a moment. It was time to lure the two in an ambush and then question them. If they would really follow them. Walking towards the alley, Kiyomi looked to Hayate. Only a nod was given as she was sure that Hayate would know what to do. Releasing his hand, she continued to walk in the alley, a smirk still on her lips.

Following her out into the streets, Hayate tried to nonchalantly look around, attempting to spot the men that Kiyomi had mentioned earlier. He soon accepted defeat however, as he realized that the crowd was just too busy and fast moving. Feeling Kiyomi squeeze his hand, Hayate looked at her for a moment. As he noticed the look on her face he glanced forwards and saw the alleyway. A smile lit his face as well and he followed her into the alley, getting himself prepared for what was about to come.

There was it. She heard the sound of boots. It was hard to filter it out, but they were louder than the sounds from the streets. Walking around a corner, she beckoned Hayate to come. It would lead to a dead end, which was no problem. Pointing to him, she then pointed just up. Afterwards, she pointed to herself and then with her thumb over her shoulder to the dead end. Hearing more sounds of boots, she knew their time was limited, very limited to set up an ambush. Not looking if Hayate would get the signals, she went to the dead and would await who were after them there.

Without hesitation, Hayate set about getting into position. He had just started to make out the sound of what seemed to be a pair of boots following them into the alley and he knew they didn't have much time. Leaping up, Hayate grabbed onto the railing of one of the side building's fire escapes. Pulling himself up quickly, he moved himself into cover. The fire escape gave him a good vantage point and he would be able to see the enemies approaching. He tucked himself out of sight so that he would not be visible once they'd rounded the corner. From there, Hayate simply waited. Soon they would spring the trap, all that was left was the waiting.

Coming to a halt, Kiyomi was sure now. It wasn't paranoia or such. Turning slowly around, she noticed four men. All of them were at least bigger than both her and Hayate. Size didn't matter however, she knew out of experience. Sometimes the small packages contained more trouble, her smirk growing bigger as she looked at the four men. They were all differently dressed, but had the same look. And at least three of the four held weapons. Two of them had a tanto and one other a kunai. ''What a surprise! I was just heading here to enjoy some fresh air.~'' Kiyomi said, tilting her head as she waited for a response. The men that held no weapon took a few steps and frowned.

''Drop your weapons and surrender peacefully. We know who you are as we have seen you entering the city with your friend. If you both-''[/i] He said, but was interupted as Kiyomi giggled. ''That is strange. I am all alone. If I had a friend, I would keep here with me. Wouldn't I?'' She teased back, leaning a bit forward and looking with a mocking gaze to the men. It had the desired effect as the one that had spoken up, thus likely the leader, gained an angry expression on his face. Still he didn't order his comrades to charge at Kiyomi. ''Drop your weapons, place your hands at the back of your head and surrender. Its for the best.''[/i]

Suddenly, Kiyomi placed her hands at the back of her head as she slowly went to drop on one knee. The smirk had vanished as she locked her gaze with the leader. ''You're no fun.'' She mumbled as the men then slowly advanced to her. The eyes of the girl didn't move away from the leader. Then she just nodded, a slight nod as she would jump up.

Kiyomi's brief interchange with the four men had made it clear who their leader was. Hayate smiled at her cleverness. Pulling out several kunai, Hayate targeted the men around the leader. Waiting still for the signal, he silently moved out into the open, so as to give himself more room to maneouver. Seeing Kiyomi's nod, Hayate threw the kunai towards the unsuspecting men below him. Leaping from his perch, Hayate pulled out another kunai and landed on the back of one of the large men. Driving the kunai into the base of the man's skull, Hayate followed him as he fell to the ground. Standing up quickly, Hayate retrieved his kunai from the now dead man's neck. He whirled around to face the other three enemies, hoping that his kunai had at least managed to wound the two he had targeted.

Jumping on her feet, Kiyomi briefly glanced at the work of Hayate. The smirk turned into a grin as she looked at the leader. The group of men likely had anticipated an ambush when Kiyomi had tried to tease them, but they were still not fully prepared for it. The thrown kunai had managed to impale the shoulder of the 'leader', who had gasped for air and sunk on a knee. With Hayate's attack from above, the other two remaining enemies glanced at Hayate. A crackle of lightning made them turn around, but they were too late. A flash of lightning lighted up the alley as it faded away. Holding up her right hand, Kiyomi didn't pay attention to the blood that had splattered against the wall as the lightning fiercely crackled in her right hand before it truly faded away. The Piercing Sparkle had decapitated the heads of the two men with a single slash. After all, she wanted only the leader alive.

''Lars-kuuuuun, would you please make sure that our 'friend' here won't cause any trouble when we ask him some questions?~'' Kiyomi asked as she flexed the fingers of her right hand.

Nodding his head and smiling, Hayate moved towards the leader. Of course Kelly-chan! I'll make sure he's nice and comfortable." Moving swiftly, Hayate kicked the man's other leg out, forcing him to fall to both knees. As the man leaned forwards he threw his hands out to steady himself. Hayate already had two kunai prepared and used them to skewer the man's hands, embedding them into the ground. Before the man had a chance to turn his head, Hayate was already back around behind him, pulling the kunai out from the man's shoulder and holding it against his throat. He pressed his knee into the middle of the man's back, adding just enough pressure to keep him off balance. With the man's hands pinned into the ground, and his movement impeded, Hayate felt it was a good enough time for them to start. "There now, doesn't he just look a lot more comfortable Kelly-chan?" His tone was kept lighthearted, mocking the now helpless man in front of him.

Staring at how Hayate treated the man, Kiyomi stayed silent. Not even fazed by the cruelty that Hayate showed, Kiyomi placed her left hand on her hip. The man was muttering something about for forgiveness and that he didn't want to die. Though that wasn't what on her mind. Seeing how Hayate was performing the task she ordered, Kiyomi wondered when he had became like that. Was it due her? For a moment, she wondered if it was good or bad. ''I think you both look so cute, Lars-kuuun!'' She said, walking towards the two. The friendly tone however was absent when she crouched and placed her right hand underneath the chin of the man. ''Though I don't care about that. Spit it out, were it only you four? Were there any others that have seen us entering the city?'' Asking the questions in a harsh tone, she glared at him.

The men turned pale as he tried to look somewhere else. Struggling was futile as he was experiencing too much pain and with Hayate immobilzing him, he knew better. ''No! I swear it! Pl-Please, I don't want to di-die!''[/i] He begged. Kiyomi moved her hand away as she became silent for a moment. ''Where is your mentor?'' The question was asked in a very calm manner. Even the glare wasn't present anymore as she looked him dead in the eyes. The man clearly was wavering as tears were flowing out of his eyes. The pain was slowly torturing him as he was thinking what his options were. ''Wi-Will you-''[/i]
''Then we will let you go. Don't worry, we're only after your mentor. Nobody else.'' She promised to the men. A little smile came on her face as she genuinly showed that she meant her words. It took a few moments, while the man was breathing heavily. Then he sealed his fate.

''He is in the town hall during the day, but sometimes goes to the district where the more wealthy lives. He.. He has his home.. over there. N-N-Now please?'' With the answer, Kiyomi sighed as she raised up and glanced at Hayate. ''Think we can let him go. This world has enough traitors already.'' Kiyomi said as she walked past the two. Hearing her words, the man was at first confused until he realized what she meant. ''Wa-Wait! No! Please?! My wife!''[/i]

Hayate hesitated for a moment, and only a moment, before nodding his head. Leaning forwards briefly, Hayate whispered a final "Sorry," before slitting the man's throat. Watching as the man fell to the ground, drowning in his own blood, Hayate had to turn his head. Looking down Hayate noticed his hands were shaking. Wiping the blood from his kunai, he quickly placed it back in his pouch, and hid his hands from sight. He didn't want Kiyomi to notice the tremor. Taking one last look at the carnage in the alleyway, Hayate shook his head sadly. Turning away from it all, he moved to follow in step with Kiyomi. Walking silently for a moment, Hayate tried to find the right words to speak. "I...I am sorry for that." Was all he managed to say, before falling silent once again.

Staying silent, Kiyomi kept on walking. She didn't even offered a look in his direction, but simply kept walking. Instead of heading into the crowded streets, she directed them towards another corner of the alley and went to a more quiet street. Before walking into the street, she narrowed her eyes and looked around. It was luckily less populated here. Maybe a district of homes? She continued to walk again as she smelled something familiar. Following the smell, she still said nothing back to Hayate.

As they moved into the street, Hayate debated trying to speak again, but thought better of it. There was nothing more he could say right now. Truth be told he had surprised himself, and he was simply afraid that he had disgusted Kiyomi. The thought made him feel ill, and Hayate could feel his hands shaking lightly again. There was no way that he could stay in character at the moment, and so he only hoped that nobody noticed his expression as they walked through the street. Thankfully Kiyomi had directed them to a quieter one his time, and so he did not have to worry as much.

Around a corner, they would see an entrance to a park. Heading towards it, Kiyomi sighed as she glanced in his direction. Her eyes revealed nothing of what she was feeling nor thinking. Turning her head back, she guided them through the park. Now without anybody following them or with anybody around, she felt more at ease. There was still some tension as she knew more about how dangerous it was for them to be on this island. But for now they were safe. Heading to a pond, she sat down in the grass. A tree, unknown to her what kind it was, provided some cool shadow. ''Sit down, Hayate.'' Kiyomi said, staring at the pond as she made it herself comfortable. Stretching out her legs, she leaned a bit backwards on her hands.

Following her into the park, Hayate looked around them. It was a peaceful spot, and under normal circumstances he would have slowed down to appreciate the beauty of the place. For now, however, he simply walked up to the spot that Kiyomi had selected and sat down. Holding his hands in his lap, Hayate looked down. He couldn't meet her eyes. Not right now. Waiting for her words of disappointment, Hayate simply stared at his hands, hoping that they would stop shaking soon.

The words of a Sensei!
Music for the next part.

[/i]

It stayed silent between them as they both sat down. The one staring into the pond and the other looking down. There only sounds of the birds and other creatures. ''A sensei is supposed to guide and help his student. I had my fair share of sensei's. Naoki, the puppet master. Uncle Z, the Third Hokage. Hiroshi Hon, captain of the Wolf Guard.'' Kiyomi began on a calm tone while she kept looking at the pond. ''Hiron Hon, the Serious. Keiko Moto, the Fierce Flame. Jinka-...'' She became quiet for a moment. ''Jinkama Moto, Konoha's Hero.'' After she said that, Kiyomi glanced in his direction.

''A sensei is supposed to be a source that the student can rely on. A person that they can learn from and manage to keep growing with the teachings of that person.'' She sighed as she stared back at the pond. ''I guess I kind of failed in that. Which is ironic as I have that much sensei's that I learned from. I always thought that I could teach and pass on some experience and knowledge to the people that would become appointed to be my genins. You know?'' A little smile became present on her face.

''The day that you swore that you would become my student, I felt so happy. I thought I could really become somebody like most of my sensei's. Not Naoki. He was a real prick.'' The last part was said with a more joking and light hearted tone before she seemed to become more serious. ''But I hoped I could try to help you and the others. Trying to become.. well,'' She slowly raised her right hand and closed her eyes as she rubbed the back of her head. ''To become what you thought I was. A hero.'' After that, she became quiet again.

When she first started to speak, Hayate's head remained down. He couldn't bear to look. But as she spoke of failing, his head whipped up. He could not, would not let her take the blame for this. Hayate was torn on the inside. Tears began to well up behind his eyes but he forced them back. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to look her in the eye.

"You did not fail Kiyomi-sama. It was me who failed you." He struggled for a moment, trying to think of the right words. "When I swore to become your student, that was the happiest day in my life. You gave me the chance to try and finally be something, something more than a nobody who couldn't protect anyone. You gave me hope again Kiyomi. And you have no idea what that means to me. I have never ever considered you to be anything but a hero, and I know that we have been at odds about that in the past, but I truly think that you are worthy of that title." Hayate's face fell a little, and his tone grew sad as he continued. "When you left the village, when you left me... I thought I had lost you, I thought I had failed. Failed myself, failed Hiron-sama, but most of all I thought I had failed you. That moment changed me, and I fear that in some ways it made me different. Colder. When you came back, I had no idea what to do. I tried so hard to get back to being the same Hayate that I was before with you. But sometimes it becomes difficult. I...I did not like what I did to those men back there. I wanted to throw up, it made me sick. I am just... I am just so afraid that you will think of me as a monster Kiyomi-sama... I don't want you to hate me." His voice trailed off, and his head slumped down again. This time he didn't think he would be able to stop the tears as they began welling up again.

Hearing his words, Kiyomi still continued to stare at the pond. He showed so many common things with Hideki. He too had been disgusted with killing people. People who were sent to try to take them out on their mission. ''I understand it. Not whole of it. I've been raised to not care too much for my enemies. In fact, I think I am an abherent person like some may say.'' Kiyomi scoffed lightly. ''I don't feel anything like regret or guilt when I slice somebody's throat. At first, I thought it was due the fact that Matatabi-sama had been sealed in me. But I learned that he has the same thing as you and many others.'' Kiyomi told him. She looked at him. Seeing him that down made her look a bit sad too. ''I am sometimes jealous.'' She said. It was very odd, but after a long pause she continued.

''I always have been praised for my skills and intellect. Able to overcome many foes that were considered to be more dangerous than me. Gaining the respect and fear of many and also never having to miss anything as I could and still can easily afford it. However.'' She smiled a bit, but still looked sad. ''I always felt envy when I noticed how others were disgusted with killing. It shows that you're not a monster, Hayate. Its shows that you're a caring person. When you killed those men, it was on my orders. Though you can say that you could have chose not to, what difference would it have made? They were already dead when they decided to confront us. You have nothing to blame. Come'' Kiyomi said as she opened her arms and moved closer to him. ''Its alright.''

Kiyomi's words made Hayate think. He could not believe that somebody like her would ever be jealous of him for something that made him weak. Or, at least something he feared made him weak. Looking up, Hayate managed to meet her eyes. His were still filled with anguish, but her words were getting through to him. As she opened her arms and moved towards him, Hayate embraced her. Fighting back a sob, Hayate whispered his response, his voice still full of pain. "It's just so easy sometimes. So easy to forget what I'm doing, that I am hurting another person. I get no joy from it, but there are many times when I feel the same as you. I do not regret killing because I know it is necessary. But it is the times where I do more... the times like back there, when I do more than necessary, and I still feel nothing... Until afterwards, once I look at what I've done." Hayate held onto her tightly. For the first time since he had left that alley, his hands stopped shaking. "Thank you Kiyomi-chan. Thank you for staying with me."

Patting his back, Kiyomi half closed her eyes as she listened to his words. ''Don't worry. I am always there for you.'' She whispered back. Her thoughts were different however. Though she felt a bit warmer when he expressed he still saw her as a hero, she still couldn't take in the words. Not even when she had managed to kill Selia and progress further more on her path to become the next Hokage. ''Now, calm down and don't worry about it.'' Waiting until he wouldn't hold her that tightly, she backed a bit backward as she was sitting next to him. Placing a hand on his head, she smiled faintly. ''I hate to admit it, but you're my favorite student, Hayate. Not because you're able to learn quickly, listen to my orders or show some talent. But because you're a person that values the important things in life. Don't worry about how I or anybody else think of you. Instead, just keep on doing what makes you feel alright.'' Gently ruffling through his hair, she let out a soft giggle. ''Besides, I am feeling like I am a bit like some of my sensei's were. I rather not want to change my appearance again.'' She joked before becoming more serious.

''Also, you don't have to always say what you think or experience. We have a bond and I know how you sometimes react and feel. Just keep your head up and you will always make me proud to call you my student.'' Removing her hand from his head, she looked back at the pond. ''Though really. Keep it yourself about being my favorite student. I think that will upset the others...''

Pulling back from the hug, Hayate already felt a little better. Kiyomi's words filled him with warmth and he did not quite know how to react. He was truly blessed to have met her and become her student. Managing a smile he looked up. "You are truly an amazing person Kiyomi-sama. I am honoured to be your student." He grinned as she commented about not mentioning the part about being her favourite. Wiping away his tears with the back of his hand, Hayate looked out over the pond. She somehow always knew how to cheer him up. As he sat back, Hayate just basked in the moment. Wanting to enjoy every possible moment before they had to head out again.

Knowing that his mood had been lighten up, Kiyomi rose up and sighed. ''But we should figure out a base of operations. So far we seem to able to move underneath the radar. We should use that to quickly get a place to sleep and then contact the man that has more information in store for us.'' She told Hayate as she already turned around. Though she was glad that the talk had brighten up Hayate, it wasn't over yet. She had to talk later about it again. It wasn't good for him if he would still was doubting her faith in him or realizing that his image about her could be wrong. Very wrong.

Looking up at Kiyomi as she rose, Hayate nodded. He got to his feet, brushed himself off and went to stand by her. "Are we going to stay in the city and sleep? Or are we going to move back into the forest?" Hayate glanced at Kiyomi, waiting to see her response. And also trying to prepare himself to get back into character. Well it was true that Kiyomi had managed to cheer him up, he still had thoughts nagging at him from the back of his mind. A part of him wondered if they were actually going to do what they had spoken about earlier and go to a hotel. If that was their plan he was going to be a little excited. Hayate had never stayed in a hotel before, and he wondered what they would be like.

''We're going to stay in the city. In a hotel. I think that it will be bad if we move out of the city. It seems that the enemy has set up a perimeter to be on the watch for us. We need to establish a base before they will notice the opening we have.. created.'' Kiyomi told him as she glanced at him. Her tone had been neutral and quite serious. Heading back to town, she yawned and looked around. ''Know what? Surprise me. Choose a place. I will pay. Don't worry about the costs, I can cover it with ease.''

Following her through the city, Hayate kept his eyes out for a good place to stay. He figured that he didn't have to work too hard to stay in character this time, as the eager look on his face probably marked him out as a tourist anyways. Spying a large building that advertised itself as a hotel, Hayate pointed it out. "What do you think Kelly-chan? This looks like a good place for us to spend the night." His tone was excited, something that he didn't necessarily have to fake, but he also found that he sounded slightly annoying and overly happy.

Yawning again, she walked closer to Hayate and looked at the place he was pointing at. ''That looks lovely, Lars-kuuun.'' Kiyomi answered. She tugged her arms around one of his as she seemed to look tired. Her eyes were half closed, but were keeping a sharp attention to their surroundings. Even though she was sure that they were still safe unless they would blow up their cover, Kiyomi wanted to be sure that she wouldn't lose attention while they were in this damned city.

Smiling, Hayate looked back at her. "Now now, don't fall asleep on me just yet. We haven't even gotten inside!" He spoke jokingly. Hayate assumed that her sleepy demeanour was just a facade, but he went along with it, looking like he was supporting her a little more as they entered the hotel lobby. The interior was fairly lavish, clearly a place that was geared towards tourists with a little more money. For a moment he wondered if they should go somewhere a little more reasonable, but then he remembered what Kiyomi had said. Walking up to the counter he spoke politely to the receptionist. "Hello. We would like a room for the night, if possible."

The receptionist looked up at the two of them and smiled. "Certainly. Let me just take a look and see what I have available for you." Digging out a large book, the receptionist checked inside, scanning through the pages. Her finger seemed to stop on one particular page and she looked up. "I am sorry, but it appears that most of our rooms are booked at the moment. We do have our honeymoon suite available, but it is a little bit more expensive." She looked from Hayate to Kiyomi and then continued, "Would that work for you two?"

She had no trouble of sharing a room with Hayate. She had no trouble of paying for everything. But her eyes widened when she heard the word 'honeymoon suite'. Glancing in his direction, Kiyomi then suddenly jumped and smiled. ''That sounds perfect, doesn't it, Lars-kuuuuuun?!'' She embraced him in a hug as she looked back in the direction of the woman. ''I will pay for it! We want it, right. Now!'' She said, as she released Hayate and took out her purse. Writing a check, Kiyomi paid little attention to the price as she continued to talk. ''Oh, we want it for a week. A full week with everything with it!'' She said, looking up with a big smile. The fact they wanted to have the room for the full price and for a whole week seemed to surprise the receptionist. Nodding, she accepted the check of Kiyomi and gave the keys. Instantly, Kiyomi turned around as she waved with the keys.

''I am soooo happy right now! Baby, I am soo happy!'' She said, looking she was on the verge of crying out of being so happy. In fact, Kiyomi was just acting and felt annoyed. Only reason she could hide it was because she could easily find a solution if the room was like she thought it would. Actually, she wasn't sure how a honeymoon suite would look like. Only the word gave her cold shivers.

When the receptionist had mentioned the honeymoon suite, Hayate had simply frozen up. He was glad that Kiyomi had reacted so quickly becuase he was deathly afraid that he would have broken cover. Trying to smile naturally, Hayate was aware that he probably looked like a fool, standing there, rooted to the spot. Forcing himself to move, Hayate wrapped his arm around Kiyomi's shoulders and thanked the receptionist. Following her down the hallway, Hayate's face fell as soon as they were out of sight. He had a horrifying vision of what the suite might look like, and it was all he could do to keep from turning pale as they walked.

The suite was located near the back of the building and it took the two awhile to get there. As they finally arrived in front of the door, Hayate was mortified to see that their room number was framed by a heart. Gulping he turned to Kiyomi. "Well darling... After you." Hayate wasn't sure what was going to kill him first. The embarrassment of staying in this suite, or Kiyomi for him being the idiot who chose this hotel in the first place.

That line. It made Kiyomi glance up to Hayate. There was a slight raise of Killing intent before she passed him and walked into the room. It became worse when she entered the room. The whole room was designed like it was a big promotion for Valentine's day. Instead of finding the suite sweet or cute, she found it horrible. There was way too much pink and hearts. ''Disgusting.'' She mumbled as she walked to the big window. That was the only thing she found interesting. It was actually a whole big part of the wall that was made of a thick window. Even a glass door that would provide access to a balcony. As night was slowly dawning upon them, Kiyomi wanted to go outside. But first things first. Turning around, she looked at Hayate. ''You can stop looking like an ass with that expression.'' She told him bluntly.

Entering the room, Hayate was hit with a wave of dizziness. He couldn't remember ever seeing so much bloody pink in his life! Shaking off the dizziness, Hayate looked at Kiyomi as she surveyed the room. He could only imagine what was going on in her mind. Did girls actually like this kind of stuff? He wondered staring once again at the cheezy decor. When Kiyomi rounded on him he could tell that no, not all girls liked it. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Hayate replied. "I... uh... I am terribly sorry. I never knew that hotels looked like this... Why is there so much pink?" He tried to shake his dumbfounded expression, but he couldn't get over how ridiculous this room was. A small part of him supposed it would be cute to a lovestruck couple, who were blinded with love anyways... At least, you'd have to be blind in some way to find this room appealing.

Staring past Kiyomi, Hayate's eyes widened with horror. There was a giant red heart shaped... thing... against one of the walls. As his mind began to think properly again he realized with dawning horror what it was. "Is... is that the bed?" He asked quietly.

Only for a brief glance, Kiyomi looked at the horror. Her face unfazed as she sighed and turned her attention back to him. ''Sadly, yes. But we need to finish the talk. Sit down.'' It sounded more like an order than a wish or desire of her as she walked to the door. ''I wasn't quite finished with what I wanted to say or actually, to teach you.'' Reaching the door, she seemed to weave several handseals before placing her palm against the door. ''This will keep people from eavedropping us. Lets see what they will hear when I fry their brains out.'' She mumbled before turning around again. The suite was quite large actually. It had what she could consider to be the equivalent of a living room. Walking to the couch, she dropped herself on one of them. Luckily, it was a white one instead of pink.

''As I was saying, I am glad that you view me as a hero, Hayate. But you need to think about somethings before continue to keep looking at me.'' She said. The fact she used his real name meant that she was sure that nobody was eavesdropping on them. They had still plenty of time before they would risk that the enemy was on to them. ''I mean, this whole mission is proof that you can't just assume that everybody you know is clean. Get that? I can't tell you everything, but lets say... mess this up and you're dead.'' Leaning in the couch, her eyes were locked on him as they had something dark. It was even something that became more clear when she was talking with a very serious tone.

As Kiyomi moved to the couch, Hayate shook his head, removing the thoughts of horror regarding this strange room. He followed her over and sat down as well. He noticed that she had used his real name and a feeling of relief flooded through him. They were obviously safe enough now to drop the act, at least while inside the room. Listening closely to Kiyomi as she spoke, Hayate noticed how she had grown very serious. "What do you mean by clean Kiyomi-sama?" He asked. Hayate had known going in that this mission was filled with secrecy, and he understood that some of this was probably what Kiyomi was referring to. When she mentioned that failure in this would probably equal death, he found himself strangely unfazed. Hayate knew that she was deadly serious, and he had no intent to die, at least not for a long time, but he felt no fear at the moment. No fear of failing, not when he was with her. "I promise you Kiyomi-sama, I will not fail you. I can't fail, not when I am with you." His voice was not cocky in any way, nor did he feel over-confident in his abilities. But Hayate did feel like the statement was true. He wasn't sure why, but he knew in his hear that he would not fail her again.

Seems he wasn't getting the point. Leaning forward, her look became even darker as she frowned. ''You're not in the slightest safe around me. Want to know what I have to do when I suspect you're unfit?'' She asked, but the answer was given right away when a second passed. ''I am then ordered to slice your throat. To make you vanish. To keep sure you won't appear ever again. Got that?'' She asked again as she leaned back in the couch. ''That is what I mean by clean. You're going to make your hands dirty. This isn't like any mission before or any kind of regular test. Somebody got interested in you and you are being put up to the test. Survival is a minor success. Being able to keep your mouth shut and willing to take orders of somebody you can't see. Somebody you can't sense. Only hear, but not able to say anything back.'' She paused as her eyes narrowed. ''That is what you're going to show. Else.'' She tilted her head to the side as her left hand came to her throat. Running her thumb over her skin, she made a sound like if she was slicing her own throat. ''Then you will be dead.''