By the time Kita arrived, it was already evening. She reached the Mist Village slightly after Hozuki Mangetsu's body had been delivered, meaning the village already knew of his heroic death.
After a somber memorial service, Kita made her way to the Mizukage's office as promised.
Yagura was dressed in mourning attire, present at the service as well. Without mentioning the mission, without commenting on its success, and without so much as a greeting, he retrieved the payment for her from a drawer.
It was a bankbook with many zeros and a dull, gray token with the characters "Mizu" barely legible. A small, palm-sized, half-centimeter-thick piece of iron-like material, dirty enough that the inscription was almost unrecognizable.
"Use it with care."
Kita nodded.
"Leave now."
She felt the matter was concluded. She had successfully troubled Uchiha Madara and even received an unexpected bonus. Everything was more than satisfying. There was no point in lingering. All she wanted now was to go home and hand the bankbook and token to Konan.
Yet, on second thought, she should bid farewell to those she needed to.
Terumi Mei had sought her out twice, while Kita had visited Mei only once. Visiting her again would even the score. So she did. She intended to knock on Mei's door, but at the last moment, mischief struck. Standing on the old tree outside the window, she drew a kunai from her sleeve and threw it at the curtain.
"Crash!"
The glass shattered across the floor.
Kita felt an overwhelming embarrassment.
The pale yellow curtain was drawn back. Mei had changed out of her mourning clothes into a sky-blue dress, while Kita had switched from her ornate outfit back into the modest yukata.
——It wasn't on purpose. I thought the window was open. Just joking.
"How are you going to make up for this?"
——With money.
"Would you wear the clothes I gave you?"
——No. I've kept them safe.
"Leaving already?"
Kita nodded.
——If I don't leave now, I might never find him again.
"Will you come back?"
——Probably not.
"Don't you want to see your friends? I think we're still friends."
Friends, huh.
——You'll become a great Mizukage, I believe in you.
"You'll defeat him too. I believe in you."
——I hope so. Also, reconcile with your sister. One day she'll understand you. Don't let that day come too late.
"I will, Kita. If you're in danger, contact me. No matter what happens, if you need my help, I'll come—even through fire and blades."
Kita smiled faintly, nodding. She turned away, waved, and sprinted off.
She was reluctant to leave Mei behind but chose not to linger. If she could see Mei before nightfall, it would mean their fate had run its course. If not, then their connection wasn't yet severed.
And as it turned out, Kita and Mei's paths did not cross again.
During the finale of Kazuhiko to Masako, Mei appeared in her sight once more. Clearly, Mei realized the same, which was even more awkward than breaking her window.
Besides Mei, Kita had another guardian in the Mist Village:
Koyou.
After leaving Mei's house that afternoon, she hurried to a nearby exchange office in town, withdrew enough money for Koyou to live comfortably for life, and rushed back to the Mist Village. Twilight fell as the finale of Kazuhiko to Masako began.
Masako Kamijo completely turned dark after Kazuhiko's betrayal, while Ougi's defense of Kazuhiko provoked the fully corrupted Masako to poison her.
Kita and Koyou watched the TV eagerly, apparently communicating in sign language.
Koyou: Masako will be fine. Ougi is such a manipulative girl.
Kita: Trust me, no. Kazuhiko and Masako won't work out.
Koyou: Then Ougi won't either. She's ugly and not sincere to Kazuhiko. She doesn't deserve him.
Kita: No, no. Masako's behavior is abnormal, Ougi's is fine.
Perhaps this was the calmest fan dispute in history.
Mei remained quietly beside them.
Kita was quiet too.
Only Koyou remained completely unruffled.
Koyou: How did you get here?
"I came to see you, Koyou."
Kita realized then that not everyone in the Kirigakure Village had special abilities—few people could even use sign language.
"You know each other?"
Koyou: What does it matter to you?
Kita: I've been cared for by Koyou since arriving here. Our bond is strong. I didn't know you were Koyou's sister.
Koyou: You know each other?
Kita: I've been taken care of by your sister.
The three women sat quietly, watching the finale together.
Kita occasionally debated with Koyou about whether Masako or Ougi was better. Mei, unfamiliar with the series, simply watched, occasionally glancing at the two, feeling that no time in the world was better than this moment.
In the end, neither Masako nor Ougi won Kazuhiko's love. Ougi's death allowed Kazuhiko to seize justice, but he raised his sword against Masako, who should have been his ally, declaring vengeance. Fully corrupted, Masako calmly stated: "You don't get the chance." Kazuhiko left with Ougi's body, diverging from Masako completely.
The romance became a tale of love and hate—a setup for a second season. Koyou cried; Kita laughed, scratching her cheek.
——Time to go.
"Not waiting until tomorrow? Night travel is dangerous," Mei said. Her words weren't touched by the story, only concerned about Kita leaving.
Koyou wiped her tears, reluctant to see Kita go.
——Yes, night is dangerous, Kita.
Kita smiled, shaking her head. She glanced at Mei, then Koyou.
——Sorry. I promised myself that if I could see you today, it would prove our fate has ended. I'll tell you the truth.
Kita didn't linger. She put on her shoes quickly and looked back at Mei and Konan with a smile.
——I am Kita.
"Liar! Even if you lie—"
Mei's voice faltered. Removing the cyan scarf revealed the scars covering her body, a cruel, inhuman mark. She weakened, steadying herself against the wall.
——I told you—the scarf is the true form. Without it, I don't exist. I have my purpose. Before dealing with that person, I cannot expose myself. Mei must be a good Mizukage, so the Mist Village is no longer burdened with the Kirigakure. Koyou, your sister works hard; understand her.
Kita stopped, re-tied her scarf, and knelt, performing a perfect inhuman gesture of respect.
——Thank you for everything.
When she rose, she had vanished.
Kita had no desire to dwell on Mei's or Koyou's feelings. She longed to go home, to see Konan, to embrace and kiss her, to share everything.
Traveling hastily, enduring wind and rain.
A week later, at dusk, Kita returned to the rainy village. Light spilled softly from a window.
She pushed the door open, joy lighting her face.
Konan, sensing her long-absent lover, had already noticed her return. She had been gone since early spring and only returned near Qingming. Likely hadn't eaten yet. She put down her chopsticks, holding a salty rice ball, and put leftover convenience meals into the microwave.
Before she could sit and eat her cup noodles, a familiar embrace stopped her.
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you crazy?! Let go! What's that smell? You haven't changed clothes in days! I just showered! Stinky!"
Warnings were useless, and resistance only grew.
"Kita!!! Let go!!! You stink!!!"
Konan carefully held the rice ball to avoid dropping it, but the other finally calmed. Free, she saw a smiling face. Konan stepped back, frowning.
"How long has it been since you showered?"
——Seven days.
"Go shower! I just finished! Are you sick?"
Kita laughed joyfully, stripped her dirty yukata, made an OK sign, and dashed to the bathroom.
Konan shook her head, slightly helpless, putting the yukata into the washing machine. She changed into clean clothes herself. When Kita entered, she instinctively faced the wall. Konan noticed but said nothing, picking up the ninja vest and shorts left on the floor.
"How many times have I told you? Stop throwing clothes on the floor."
Kita gave a sheepish thumbs-up, promising not to. Konan smacked her scarred back.
"Smack!"
"Clothes here. Conditioner for your hair, understand?"
Kita nodded vigorously, thumbs-up again, signaling she'd leave.
Konan rolled her eyes, walked outside, closed the door, loaded the laundry, and started the machine. Leaning on the washer, she recalled the slightly smelly embrace. After three months and seven days, her Kita had returned.
Her lips curled in a mix of exasperation and affection.
"Idiot."
Moments later, a light knock sounded from inside. Konan laughed, raising her voice:
"Nothing, just scolding you."
Two soft replies came, as if asking: Why are you scolding me?
"Just scolding you, can't I?"
A gentle voice replied: Okay then.
"Hey, welcome home."
After a pause, four voices responded: I'm home.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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