Previously
"Yeah. I think we could all use it," Kakashi agreed.
Present
I woke up early the next morning. The early morning sun had just started to drift through the windows. I started rummaging through the cupboards to see if there was anything useful for breakfast. Luckily, there was. There were a few boxes of pancake mix in the cupboard, eggs and ham in the fridge, and a few potatoes were on the counter.
I washed and cut all the vegetables and set a pan on the stove. I turned on the flame and put a bit of butter in the pan to melt before putting the eggs into it. I started making the pancake batter as the eggs cooked. I set the eggs aside and started making the pancakes. I cut up the potatoes as I was making the pancakes. It didn't take long to use up all of the batter I had made and set the pancakes aside on another plate.
Finally, I put the potatoes in the pan. When the potatoes finished cooking, I turned off the burner and moved the pan onto a different one to help keep them from overcooking. I heard three pairs of shuffling feet behind me and turned around to see Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai had woken up.
"Good morning, you three," I greeted.
"Food," Kakashi said, sluggishly walking toward the kitchen.
"There is breakfast if you're hungry," I said.
"How long have you been up?" Kurenai asked.
"I'm not really sure. Not that long, I think," I answered.
"How much longer are we here for the mission?" Asuma questioned.
"Two more days, total. We can go home on the third," I answered.
"So the ball is tomorrow night?" Kurenai asked.
"Correct. The mission was meant to begin weeks ago but, as you all know, we didn't get any notification until extremely recently. Rumors have likely already spread like wildfire, so please be careful if and when you are going out alone," I said.
"Of course, Rin-chan," Kurenai said.
"There is still much that is uncertain," I muttered, walking over to look out of the windows. I heaved a heavy sigh. It was bugging me how little we actually knew was certain about the mission. The Raikage hadn't given any more information as to what we were supposed to be doing either. It was frustrating to say the least.
Kit, Kurama said.
What is it, Kurama? I questioned.
Someone is approaching, he answered. I could sense them on the other side of the door. Whoever it was, definitely wasn't human. A loud bang rang out. After a moment, another sounded. I went to answer the door, a hand on one of the blades at my waist. I opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side. I couldn't help but stand frozen in my place.
"Are you going to stand there gawking all day or will you invite me in?" Tamlin asked. I opened the door enough to step out and punch him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain and I dragged him in. I let him go and softly closed the door before turning to glare at him.
"Why are you here?" I hissed. Tamlin didn't look great. I knew he wouldn't come unannounced without good reason but it was still dangerous for him to be away from his Court.
"The human that runs this village requested that I come," Tamlin answered. He sat down on the couch in the sitting area. He looked tired.
"How long has it been since you had a decent amount of sleep?" I asked.
"You always did know me far better than most," he muttered, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands.
"Get some sleep. I'll have something for you to eat when you wake up," I said. I flicked my fingers. Pots and pans started to move on their own and were in the sink in moments. I would wash them later.
"Very well," Tamlin said, laying down. He fell asleep within moments.
"You care about him, don't you?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah, I do. He looked after me when I was little," I replied.
"He seems dangerous, Rin-chan," Kurenai said worriedly.
"He wont hurt anyone unless provoked, Ku-chan," I said, trying to ease her worry. I brushed his bangs off his forehead. "He somehow looks younger like this."
"There isn't anything for him to worry about in the dream world. There is in the waking one," Kakashi said knowingly.
"Not all dreams stay happy. Some turn into the nightmares you can't forget," I said sadly.
"There is always the hope that they won't Rin," Kakashi said.
"'When all is lost, then all is found,'" I quoted.
"Where'd you hear that?" Kakashi questioned.
"It's from a lullaby Gatekeeper would sing to help me fall asleep when I was in Hel," I replied.
"My father sang the same one to me when I was a child," Kakashi said.
"Lullabies tend to have darker meanings, huh?" I asked.
"This one does," he said.
"In that, I will not argue," I said. I started walking toward the door.
"Where ya going?" Kurenai asked innocently.
"Library," I replied.
"Can I come?" She questioned.
"If you wish," I answered. Kurenai came to the door and pulled on her shoes. I did the same. I grabbed a set of keys by the door and locked it before leaving with Kurenai to head towards the library.
I had walked passed it on my way of the hotel room we were staying in for the duration of the mission. It didn't seem as big on the outside as it was on the inside. Though it paled in comparison to the library I had become accustomed to in Helheim, it was still quite a sight.
"Woah," Kurenai said softly as we entered.
"If this impresses you, the library in Hel will leave you speechless," I said softly.
"Can I help you find anything?" a kind woman not much older than Kurenai and myself asked.
"Do you have anything on sealing jutsu?" I questioned.
"We do. Section G fifteen. I can show you if you'd like," she answered.
"That would be great. Thanks," I said sincerely.
"Of course," she replied, showing us where the texts on sealing jutsu were located. I quickly started to scan through the different volumes until I found one on the Iron Armor seal.
I pulled it off of the shelf and gently brushed the dust from the cover. The only thing depicted on it was a picture of the seal. It seemed to be quite an old volume, though dust didn't always justify the age of something.
Kurenai and I went back up to the front desk and checked the book out before heading back out again. We didn't talk much while going back to the hotel. I unlocked the door and set the keys on a little table by the door.
I went to check on Tamlin and found he was still sleeping. One of the guys had put a blanket over him. I smiled softly and set the book I was holding down on to the coffee table and went to the kitchen. Here was a note on the counter that said, "The Raikage wanted to speak with us. We'll be back soon. - Asuma" I sighed. Kakashi and Asuma could fill us in when they got back.
I went into the kitchen and saw the dishes were sitting on the counter drying. There was a sticky note on the counter next to the now clean dishes. "We thought you might appreciate this, Nohara." It was in the language of the World Serpent. I smiled and shook my head. Kakashi was straight to the point as always. I quickly picked up the note from Asuma and burned both over the bin.
"Why burn them?" Kurenai asked.
"The less we leave behind the better," I replied. "Especially if the notes are in two very different languages."
"What do you mean?" Kurenai demanded.
"Have you ever heard of the World Serpent myths?" I asked slowly, a bit uncertain.
"There were rumors that a snake used to be large enough to encircle the entire continent but... I didn't think it was true," she answered.
"They are very true. Just as most every tale about humanity's first go around is," I said, taking a deep breath.
"You met them didn't you?" Kurenai asked. I nodded.
"It seems like it was so long ago but... it really wasn't," I said softly.
"What of... the Grim Ghost?" She questioned.
"Two gods holding the same title but from very different eons met, became a team, killed the titan Cronus, and then shattered Olympus in its entirety. Not exactly the most pleasant of things to do," I answered.
"You were there," Kurenai whispered.
"What of it?" I demanded, turning away.
"How did you survive? The Grim Ghost is a legend. They left no survives. Anyone they found died," Kurenai rambled.
"I am well aware of that," I said.
"And yet you survived. Why?" She asked.
"What does it matter? It was a long time ago," I said, attempting to end the conversation.
"Why won't you talk to me?" Kurenai persisted.
"I am talking to you, Kurenai. Forgive me for not wishing to delve into my bloodstained history any more than I have to on this trip," I said coldly.
"So that's it?" She demanded.
"For now," I answered, pulling out a few things to make sandwiches for lunch.
"Fine," Kurenai said, sounding tired and defeated.
"Kurenai," I said.
"What now?" She asked bitterly.
"Why do you want to know?" I questioned.
"I want to know who you are, not who you pretend to be," she answered.
"And just who am I pretending to be?" I asked.
"Someone that isn't bothered by the shit that would drive me mad. I am not as strong as you, Rin. I doubt I ever will be but... I don't know. I guess I just wish I was like you," Kurenai said softly.
"My dear, you are strong already. Yes, my past is really messed up. That doesn't mean I walked away from it with my sanity," I said.
"You aren't the same after all," she whispered.
"No one ever is," I said. I heard the soft click of the door being unlocked. Both Kurenai and myself turned to see Kakashi and Asuma walk in followed by the Raikage and Gyūki.
"Thanks for doing the dishes," I said to Kakashi in the Old Language. He nodded in response.
"Where did you learn that tongue?" Gyūki demanded.
"Where I learned it does not concern you. Why are the two of you here again?" I questioned. I saw Gyūki's control over the boy disappear.
"There is much I haven't told you," the Raikage said.
"That much is obvious. Close the door and explain," I ordered. When neither of them moved I said, "Sometime today would be nice, you two."
"That is no way to speak to a Kage," Killer Bee said in warning.
"Too bad I don't care what a pitiful little human thinks," I said nonchalantly, my mood completely different from just moments before. I quickly made enough food for everyone and set the plates on the counter. I went over to the couch and jumped on Tamlin's stomach to wake him up. He cracked open one eye to glare at me.
"What?" He snapped.
"Okay, ya big grump. We have company and I made lunch. Get up," I replied. I stepped off of him and walked back to where the others were standing. Tamlin came up behind me and whacked the back of my head with his palm. I hit him in the stomach.
"You are the human that requested my presence?" Tamlin asked the Raikage. He didn't answer and instead glared at me.
"He is. The boy next to him is the Jinjuriki host for Gyūki, Killer Bee. Were you told of the festival happening tomorrow night?" I questioned.
"Unfortunately," Tamlin muttered. I flicked my fingers towards the plates and used a bit of my magic to send the sandwiches to each person.
"Eat. I don't want to clean any blood off the floor," I snapped.
"What makes you think we would listen?" The Raikage growled. I let my eyes change to the soulless black and changed my hair so it was white. The contrast seemed to put the Raikage on edge.
"What makes you think I will be kind to you or any other currently in this village?" I questioned. "I am what your kind calls a monster, after all."
"What?" He asked.
"Humans call Jinjuriki like myself and Killer Bee monsters when we are the ones that saved them. If it weren't for Jinjuriki, humans would have long since been extinct. After all, they seem to think they are stronger than the ones they despise," I answered. "Eat or not, I do not care. The sooner you are gone, the better."
"Why do you not like us?" Killer Bee questioned.
"It's not that I don't like you. I've had quite a few bad experiences with systemic belief systems that were created to preserve a corrupt way of life. Very few that I have met are willing to change their own way of life for something less hateful," I answered.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"We are monsters because of a seal. Nothing more. If, and that is a big if, one of us saves a large group of people will that begin to change. Humans rejoice when a Jinjuriki is killed. I doubt that will change soon," I said, trying to answer. It seemed to satisfy him, though, as he nodded in understanding.
"What can help?" The Raikage demanded.
"Nothing. Not at the moment at least. Perhaps when the time comes you will be able to help, though I do not believe that time is now nor when or if it will come. If it does come, be ready for it. I fear humanity will be in one more large scale war within two decades," I said, looking out the window.
"Vision?" Kakashi asked.
"Unfortunately," I replied. I picked up the book on seals I had picked up at the library earlier and began to flick through it until I got to the Iron Armor Seal. There was only a few pages on it, but they were helpful. I closed the book. I knew what I would need to do to get Gyūki out of his seal.
What is it, Kit? Kurama asked.
I do not know if I should take Gyūki out of the seal, I answered.
He will listen to you. All of us will, Kurama reassured.
You are certain? I demanded.
Yes, he replied, sounding a bit annoyed. I sighed.
"I believe I can do it," I said.
"Which one?" Kakashi questioned.
"Iron Armor. It's possible I can release Gyūki from his seal without killing the boy," I answered.
"Do it," the Raikage demanded.
"No," I denied.
"What?" He demanded.
"I am not going to release him just because a human with a bit of power wishes me to. Put in the request with the Hokage if it really means that much to you," I snapped.
"We will be on our way," the Raikage said. I heard two sets of feet begin to shuffle towards the door.
"One more thing before you leave, Gyūki," I said. Both the Raikage and Killer Bee stopped.
"What is it?" Killer Bee asked.
"Don't terrorize the villagers for a while," I ordered. I knew Gyūki could hear me well enough. Going on what Kurama had said, he would listen to me. I just didn't know how long it would be before he stopped.
The door opener and closed a few moments later. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. There was much at stake with this mission. It worried me greatly. Nothing I did could relieve the pressure of the unknown.
"You are worried," Tamlin said.
"I am. I have not been able to get out of my own head since arriving here. Nothing makes sense. I do not like knowing so very little, Tamlin. This mission was not supposed to be as hard as it is," I mumbled.
"Not all things go the way one believes they will," he said.
"Only time will tell, I suppose," I said softly.
"Indeed, it will," Tamlin agreed. We were silent for a long while.
"What if... What if we don't make it back?" I asked, my voice quavering. I didn't want to lose any of them again.
"I suppose only Heaven knows," Kakashi said.
"In five, ten, or twenty years, we'll still be on the same path. All that we have done will still be there but... we won't be the children we once were," I murmured.
"In that, I think we can all agree," Asuma said. Everyone else mumbled their agreement.
There is much you have not yet told them, Kurama said in my mind. I sighed and sat down, crossing my legs. I folded my hands in my lap and sank into the space Kurama kept for himself. It had changed since I had seen it last.
"You changed it," I said.
"It looks better than those damned pipes," he muttered bitterly. He was right. Now, a lush field of green surrounded us.
"I know I have not told them everything, Kurama. Most is just too painful for me to get into right now," I said, turning away and placing my arms over my chest.
"Tell me one thing that old geezer said to you," Kurama demanded.
"Which one?" I questioned.
"The King," he replied.
"'A slap to the face is an insult — to the back of the head is a wake-up call,'" I recited. I felt a stinging in the back of my head and glared at Kurama.
"Go back. You have a mission," he ordered. I sighed heavily but listened to him.
"You okay?" Kakashi asked worriedly.
"I have been better. What about you?" I questioned.
"I'm just going day by day." I heard him sigh audibly. "I know it's probably not my place to ask but, when you were in Hel, was there anyone you trusted?"
"Yes. I still trust the few of them that there are," I replied, caught off guard by his question.
"Good," he said, leaving it at that.
"Why do you want to know?" I asked.
"I've been told stories about the people in Helheim being bloodthirsty and cruel. It made me worry about what would happen to you if you were alone," Kakashi explained. I nodded in understanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I am so sorry it took me so long to publish this!
Anw... I hope you have a good day/night and I'll see you in the next chapter! Bye guys!