Clean up
They stood in the makeshift Hokage office as Tsunade sat on a cushion on the other side of the table. Izuku scratched at his chest idly. Naruto watched, the image of his still bloody body not leaving his mind. The others shared his sentiment as they all winced, ready to help him should he,
"I'm not going to collapse," He grumbled, the annoyance visible on his face. Since the 'Destruction of Konoha' as the greater population dubbed it. rebuilding had been steady and Izuku had been under 'house arrest' which really just meant he was stuck walking around the area forbidden from doing anything by Tsunade herself. The rest of the group had been assigned jobs and sent to work rebuilding. Katsuki began using Wood Style to quickly produce trees. Sasuke had been left with a large sharp sword and many tree trunks, Tsunade's last words to him were, "Go buck wild," at which point he'd grinned evilly and disappeared. Sakura had been left in charge of healing the wounded while also trying to learn Wood Style from Izuku. Naruto had made up the bulk of the workforce, his army of Shadow Clones able to work on houses by themselves. Itachi, Shisui and Kakashi had been assigned an escort mission to help a mysterious group that would greatly help the rebuilding process, Suna had even offered to send back Hinata with some ninja to help but Tsunade had declined. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were still recovering in the makeshift hospital. Tayuya, her old team, Temari, Suigetsu and Jugo had all gone out to try and track Kabuto. Even Ino had helped, offering to join in the food division, providing meals through the day. Naruto grimaced, realizing that of course Izuku would be sour, he'd watched almost the entire village work and been prevented from helping, even though he claimed he was fine. "It was two stab wounds,"
"With chakra blocking poles," Tsunade quipped,
"In your gut and between your lungs," Sakura added. Izuku huffed and folded his arms, mumbling about 'Unfairness' and 'I am a shinobi' Sasuke sighed and shook his head. Katsuki just groaned and looked up.
"Great, Midoriya is back,"
"What?"
"That's what I've come to call this state of Izuku," He waved a hand carelessly at the greenette, "Since both of us matured pretty fast, Izuku actually having to act like the adult when he was seven," Sakura sucked on her teeth "Sometimes he'll just go back to being a kid, complaining about things he doesn't want to do, being really hard to compromise with, wants a lot of breaks, really impatient, y'know like a kid," Sasuke snorted as Naruto tried quelling his laughter, "You'd be surprised how much he appeared when you two aren't there needing an adult," Now it was Sakura's turn to giggle as Naruto and Sasuke balked. Tsunade coughed for their attention,
"Right brats," She announced "You're getting a mission,"
"'Bout time,"
"A team cleaning the damage around the Hokage monument found a hidden door on the far side of the cliff, I want you all to investigate it," Naruto hummed,
"Probably ROOT headquarters before they fled," Izuku straightened his arms, "Squad or team?"
"Squad, this needs to be as covert as possible," The five nodded stoically before a knock sounded from the door.
"Lady Hokage?" The door opened and Itachi's head tilted in, "We have returned, the elected leader wishes to speak with you," Tsunade nodded and the door opened wider, three figures walked into the room.
"Tazuna?" Naruto raised his eyebrows, "Is that you?"
"Naruto-boy?" The gruff old man stared "Sasuke-boy, Izuku-boy? Sakura?" He smiled "You've all gotten so tall,"
"Izuku-nii? Naruto-nii?"
"Inari?" Izuku looked at the pre-teen,
"Tsunami?" Sakura smiled lifting her hands up.
"Katsuki?" The ash blond muttered, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Who's the new boy?" Tazuna grunted, Katsuki bowed,
"Katsuki Uzumaki, a pleasure to meet you,"
"Another brother?" The bespectacled man raised an eyebrow, "Polite too,"
"Adopted as well," Naruto hummed, "But he's still a brother, you guys are helping with repairs?"
"We got as many able bodies as we could,"
"You guys didn't need to,"
"You saved the whole Land, this is the least we could do," Tsunami smiled "We have chefs, builders, planners the lot,"
"We're mainly here to discuss payment," Tazuna rubbed the back of his head, "As you know we of the Land of Waves don't have a Daimyo, nor a hidden village to defend us,"
"Go on,"
"A vote was held by the council of the land for the general public, and," He cuckled awkwardly, "The Land of Waves wishes to cease existing,"
"Eh?"
"We the people of the Land of the Waves, wish to become part of the Land of Fire," Everyone gaped.
The five all peered into the doorway, "Why is this a good idea?" Sasuke moaned as they leant back into the light. All five were dressed in their ANBU gear with their masks on the sides of their heads for the momment.
"Be quiet Raven," Katsuki grumbled "The quicker we get in the quicker we can get out,"
"As great as that idea is Embers," Sakura sighed "Do we really have to go into the deep dark abandoned lair of a murderous world threatening organization?"
"Yes," Izuku answered flatly, "Because the five of us scare that murderous world threatening organization,"
"Fucking wonderful," Naruto rolled his eyes
"Language," All five called out automatically, "Okay, stop doing that," Izuku grunted, "The masks have a seal that helps increase your vision in the dark anyway," The five all shifted their masks over their faces in synchrony. "Alright, down into the deep dark down deep dark," Izuku led the line with Naruto behind him, Sakura behind him and then Sasuke with Katsuki bringing up the rear. As standard procedure for single file movement, Katsuki walked backwards with Sasuke's hand on his shoulder. Sakura remained in the middle since she was the medic, and Izuku led as Captain. They walked for what felt like miles until they reached a flight of stairs. "Wall," Izuku led them up onto the wall before angling to follow the stairs. This meant Katsuki could keep watching their back without fear of tripping up the stairs. They continued to rise higher and higher until they reached a door. By this time their eyes had adjusted to the dark, and with the seals in the masks aiding them, they were able to clearly see each other and the area around them. Izuku raised his closed fist and the line stopped. Watching the door, he stepped aside and let Naruto begin picking the lock. It took several minutes since obviously the lock was beyond complex. Once done, the door was opened silently and they moved into the room quickly, forming a defensive ring. They scanned their surroundings and, upon finding no threats, turned to look at each other. Izuku pointed two fingers at Katsuki and Sasuke before holding up three fingers and dragged a finger from his other hand across them, power, he jabbed a thumb at himself and dragged it below his chin hostiles, he pointed to Sakura and Naruto before spinning his index in a circle and sticking his thumb out safe room. He tapped the two fingers against the back of his other open hand, five minutes. Keeping his fingers against his had he put his fingers down and left his thumb up clear? The four nodded and he, Sasuke and Katsuki melted into the shadows. Sakura turned to Naruto and nodded, they looked around the room first, there was a door on each wall, two on the one facing the entrance. They silently checked each room, the first was just another corridor, the second was something akin to a library, great, the records room, the third was yet another hall. The fourth however appeared to be some sort of office with a desk positioned in roughly the same place the Hokage desk was in the old office. In fact, looking around the room revealed it to be almost identical to the old Hokage office.
"Wanted to be Hokage so badly he made his own little office," Naruto snorted as they began checking the room for traps and secret entrances. He tilted a large filing cabinet to discover a hole big enough to crawl down. "Petal, tunnel," Sakura nodded and walked over, putting a hand just below the hole, dirtrapidly rushed from the dark to block the tunnel as far as Sakura could sense it. Once it was done he dropped the cabinet back in place silently. Nothing was hidden below the desk and neither of them could find any seals around the room. Gently the light in the middle of the ceiling flickered to life, giving a soft humming glow. Naruto looked over to Sakura and nodded, he began walking to the doorway. She would stay in the room as guard, making sure there was absolutely nothing in there and keeping it safe while he would go collect the others. He opened the door and stepped out silently to find the others arriving back too. He held up a flat hand and turned it sideways, dropping his pinkie and ring finger, the others stopped as he spun his wrist to point at his left shoulder. His ANBU tattoo sat there exposed due to the uniform. Turning it towards the group he pushed his chakra into it. It was a form of identification in the ANBU, the tattoo ink had a special compound that made it change colour when exposed to chakra. The colour was selected by the individual before the tattoo was given. Naruto's glowed a yellow-ish orange. Izuku nodded and turned his shoulder towards Naruto, his tattoo glowed dark green. Sasuke's glowed black and Katsuki's glowed a red-orange. The bright blond nodded and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder before chopping the air with his hand. Let's move. Everyone nodded to him and they drew closer to the door. Sakura's mask peered through the window, Naruto showed his shoulder again, the other boys quickly following suit. Sakura opened the door as her shoulder glowed a soft pink. Once the door was closed their masks were pulled off.
"Power active, lighting and air filtering are the only processes," Sasuke summed up
"No hostiles in the area," Izuku nodded
"Saferoom set, barricade ready," Sakura held up a thumb. Naruto pushed the large cabinet in front of the door, "Barricade set Captain,"
"Good, I located the documents room, all five of us will need to search it, Fox, Raven, I want a Shadow Clone from you," Sasuke and he nodded before a copy puffed into existence, Izuku did the same. "We will all come from a different direction, Petal South,"
"Hai,"
"Fox One, West,"
"Understood,"
"Raven One, North, I will come from East,"
"Roger,"
"Embers, South West, Fox Two South East, Raven Two North West, Midori, North East," The four nodded, everyone pulling their masks back on, "We meet in the centre of the room, mobilize," Sakura's copy puffed into existence as they left the room, sealing the barricade and keeping guard.
The compound was very neat, he had to give them credit for it. Each folder was perfectly kept, well organized with neat handwriting. Naruto huffed in annoyance as he waited, he'd done his route easily with Shadow Clones, each reading a file before dispelling. Then he'd summon another Shadow Clone that would read another file. An Izuku met him and nodded, the shoulder glowing dark green, "Midori-Two reporting in," Naruto nodded to the now identified Izu-clone. "I'll await Captains return before dispelling,"
"Good idea, anything useful?"
"No, mission after mission failed due to ROOT having to flee Konoha, many members dropped or killed by other members," Naruto shook his head, Danzo was a sick man but it took another level of disgusting to kill your own men so you can escape. "Anyone else arrive yet?"
"Not yet, I was first done," He tapped his foot, "But waiting here was getting boring,"
"I understand, the others are probably going as fast as they can," Izu-clone sighed, "Just because we didn't find anything doesn't mean they didn't," He held up a file, "But I did come across this one, about Orochimaru being decieved into joining and then the things Danzo forced him to do," Naruto eyed it warily, "A little gift for Tsunade, with this she'll be able to fully pardon Orochimaru and declare ROOT an open enemy, as well as Danzo a formal traitor,"
"Fucking finally,"
"Language," They both snapped, "Seriously, stop it," Izu-clone glared at him in a way that spoke for all Izukus,
"Then stop saying it,"
"Never," Standing in silence for a minute he huffed in annoyance,
"How long is it going to take them?" Izu-clone shrugged,
"No idea, Rock-Paper-Scissors?" They each held up a fist and began playing. It took all of two rounds before Katsuki appeared,
"Embers checking in," His shoulder glowed.
"Fox One and Midori-Two present," Naruto greeted "Anything?" Katsuki shook his had,
"Not a damn thing," He grumbled "Danzo either sent out a hundred thousand missions or created a bunch of fake records before he fled, everything ended in failure," Izu-clond nodded in understanding, Naruto just grumbled. Shortly after Sasuke joined the group, his shoulder glowing black before the others' all glowed as well. The Naru-clone landed and nodded before dismissing himself, memories flooded Naruto's vision and he absolved to let Kurama organise them, something for him to do.
'Too kind kit' The giant orange fox grumbled
'At least I'm giving you something to do' Naruto argued as Izuku landed, his shoulder glowing like the rest. Izu-clone nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Izuku slammed his fist on the nearest stand in frustration.
"Kabuto, you bastard," He spat.
"Captain!" Sakura came up to them, her shoulder glowing pink. "Captain, I found this," She handed Izuku a folder, "It's a report of Kurama's attack and how it happened," They heard Izuku's Sharingan activate, presumably to allow him to remember it perfectly as he read it. It was passed along the group, Katsuki got it first and read it quickly before handing it to Naruto, who's eyes raced over it. Danzo had planned the incident to allow him to take the jinchuuriki and train them into a weapon? ROOT had knowledge that his mother was the previous jinchuuriki and her seal would weaken in childbirth. They planned to take whoever was sacrificed as jinchuuriki and turn them into an emotionless underling that would help Danzo become Hokage. After that were mentions of the idea of capturing the other jinchuriki and extracting the Tailed Beasts to reseal them into a loyal ROOT agent. "After several pages they begin to mention a Madara Uchiha who helped distract Lord Fourth while Kurama was controlled into attacking the village," The Sasu-clone landed and shook his head before handing a file to Sasuke and disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"This, this isn't good," Sasuke muttered as he opened the file, "My clone found reports for the Uchiha massacre, whoever this Madara was, he also helped Itachi destroy the clan," The report was handed to Izuku again, "It mentions how Itachi bartered to do it on the sole deal I was to be left alive and cared for," Izuku handed the reports back around.
"Alright, we got what we came for, are we sure there is nothing useful or important here?"
"Yes Captain," The group chorused,
"Wonderful get to the exit, Raven stay with me," The five reached the door and left it open, "Petal go to the safe room and get your Shadow Clone to undo the barriers, then open the door and leave it open, Embers, Fox, do the same with the other doors then get to the stairs," The blonds nodded and walked to one of the other two doors, opening them before walkign back to the door they entered from. Izuku summoned several clones and sent them down both corridors. Naruto watched as he and Sasuke stood in the doorway, the other three now behind them. "Building's clear," He muttered as they both took a deep breath.
"Fire Release, Hellish Burning Dragon jutsu," Both spewed incredible flames that spiraled together before it roared and began tearing through the building.
"Move!" Izuku commanded, the four ahead turned and ran as he slamemd the door shut behind them.
"Area searched, cleared and destroyed Lady Hokage," Izuku spoke as the five knelt in her office. "We found three files," Sakura, Sasuke and Izuku all handed her a brown folder. "One relates to Kurama's attack, one to the Uchiha massacre and the last to Orochimaru's forced actions," Tsunade nodded "Kabuto was a double agent, even under Orochimaru, he was assigned to learn all the Sannin knew and then kill him, so that they could access the Reanimation Jutsu, reasons unknown,"
"Good job Squad Seven, I shall call back the search party immediately, as I know doubt Kabuto wll be found, Orochimaru will be heartbroken," She added quietly. "Well now your mission is complete you are dismissed, we don't have anything else for you to do, so go out and aid building again," The five nodded and in a big pwoomf all stood in their casual attire again. "Izuku, remain here, I am going to examine your scars and see if your body had properly healed,"
"As you wish Hokage-sama," Naruto just sighed as he left the office.
"Alright, so who's going where?" He asked the other three,
"Well, I'm needed at the medical tents again," Sakura smiled to him
"I saw they were running low on trees as we returned," Katsuki shrugged
"Same here so I need to go and slice some timber," Sasuke nodded, a small smile on his face. Naruto stepped closer to Sakura, who grabbed his hand.
"Why don't you go help Ino at the kitchens?" She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, "Then you guys can come see me?" His arm lifted up and over her head, wrapping around her shoulders while still holding her hand.
"That," He kissed the top of her head gently "Sounds like a brilliant idea, I'll drop you off at the tents and make my way over, sound good?"
"Uh, yeah?" With a smile she jumped up into his arms in a bridal carry. "Save my feet the walk," Naruto laughed heartily before Sasuke tapped his shoulder,
"If it ain't too much trouble, stud," He smirked teasingly, "Can we talk later? I need help with something,"
"Oh, sure, yeah, whatever you need man,"
"Awesome, thanks bro," Sasuke nodded and began to walk away with Katsuki.
"Wonder what that was about?" Sakura shrugged in his arms before draping hers around his neck. He grinned down to her, "Ah well, it can't be anything world-ending," They moved through the village in a flash of yellow.
Their house now constituted of several huts built together. Some walls had been turned into doors to create the semblance of a floorplan. It wasn't much but it was a place to sleep. Naruto really didn't mind it, the only thing he took umbridge with, was the fact that he'd literally finished paying off the last house the day before Pain destroyed it. Reflecting he realized if that was the biggest issue after all that had happened, he was relatively going good. He and Ino walked into the room made from the largest hut, it was the communal space that lead to every bedroom. In the centre sat a large cooking pot. Sakura was starting to stack logs underneath it when they arrived. "Hey guys," She smiled softly as the two sat down next to her, Naruto quickly putting his free arm around her. "How'd the dinner rush go?"
"Murderous," Ino complained, "We had a thousand people wanting a thousand dishes and,"
"We had maybe twenty people waiting in line at the worst time but there was a line the entire time," Naruto shook his head at her hyperbole. "It was hectic but not 'kill me' stressful," Sakura hummed,
"That's good, at least the time passed quick right?"
"Yeah, so we could get back to you quicker," He kissed her temple before turning and doing the same to Ino. "Any developments in the medical tents?"
"Asuma woke up,"
"Really? That's fantastic!"
"Tsunade has forbidden him from even leaving the tents, Kurenai has been tasked with making sure he doesn't, since she appears to be the only one he listens to,"
"I told you they were a thing," Ino grinned before turnign her attention to the large pot, "So what we cooking?"
"Just making some curry is all," Sakura smiled "We may need to go without rice, since nobody has managed to find a workign rice cooker,"
"Eh, your curry is always the best no matter what," Naruto squeezed her against him, making her giggle lightly. "So what do we need to do?"
"Nothing, you two have been cooking almost all day, it's my turn," Sakura tried to stand up, Ino and Naruto shared a smirk and the pinkette was pulled back down. Laid across both of their laps.
"Now now," Ino smiled "You've been in the medical tent just as long, we can't leave everything to you," She hummed and tried to sit up, only for both blonds to hold her down.
"Guys, c'mon I need to get dinner done,"
"Why you though? Itachi or Izuku or anyone else can do it,"
"They aren't here right now though and I'm hungry," She frowned, "So I'm,"
"We're making dinner," Naruto grinned, using a quick fire jutsu to set the wood alight. Ino just sighed and conceded, they let her sit up slowly. Sakura began measuring ingredients while Naruto kept the fire going and stirring as Ino added more ingredients in.
The door was kicked in as a voice proudly declared, "You may bow to me peasants!" Katsuki stood in the doorway holding what appeared to be, "A functioning rice cooker! I bring you the gift you have so longingly sought!" Izuku chopped the back of his head from behind him. "Alright so, when are we going to use this bad boy?"
"Tonight, get it going now so it's done in time for the curry," Sakura waved an arm in a direction, "Get Sasuke to power it when he can,"
"Got it," The ravenette walked in behind Izuku, "'Learn Chidori' they said, 'it'll be awesome in battle' they said, assholes using me as a battery," He grumbled as he held the plug of the cooker, activating his lightning jutsu to bring the machine to life. Shisui and Itachi appeared at the door moments later, Kakashi tailing them, the trio had been on guard duty, ready if an attack happened while Konoha was rebuilding. All three seemed haggard and barely able to stay on their feet. Sakura quickly got them sat down around the pot, chiding them on not wearing more clothing in the cold. Once they were sat down Tsunade appeared, supporting both of the other Sannin gently.
"They're okay, just healing for a while,"
"Chakra exhasution," Jiraiya complained "Is a pain in the ass," The blonde and her student held the men sit, making sure they weren't going to pass out anytime soon. Afterwards Tsunade pulled out a scroll and laid it on the floor in front of them. A large bottle of Sake and several cups appeared in smoke. Sakura quickly chided her on her drinking habits before Izuku stepped in and took the Sake away, scolding Tsunade for bringing alcohol into a minor's house. He replaced it with a large scrolle that unsealed to reveal ingredients for hot chocolate. Tsunade quickly got over her funk and prepped the drinks with the heat from the large fire. Jiraiya sleeply thanked her gently kissing her cheek, causing the blonde to blush lightly. Orochimaru thanked her with his head on her shoulder lloking happily up to her. Naruto saw Sakura discreetly hand Izuku a stack of Ryo. It wasn't long before Shizune arrived with Tayuya and Temari, searching for Tsunade about the cancellation of their mission.
"Suigetsu, Jugo and the others didn't feel like they had reason to be here," Temari mumbled, Tayuya just seemed disheartened, "Not after we failed the mission,"
"The mission is called off," Tsunade shook her head, "We found documents stating the Kabuto was with ROOT the entire time, his true mission being to gather all the knowledge Orochimaru had before killing him and returning to ROOT, we won't chase the traitor who knows the surface of his abilities," Tayuya looked close to tears and slowly walked over to Sasuke, plopping down next to him and leaning on his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her and rubbed her arm gently. Kakashi grunted as he got up and walked over to the teen, taking the plug and starting his own Chidori. With a tilt of his head he told Sasuke to go sit closer to the fire. Slowly the teens shuffled over and Tayuya leant more onto Sasuke. Temari dropped down the other side of him and rested her head in her hands. He tentatively reached out to rub her back. Shizune had sat down next to Tsunade and kept checking on the two male Sannin. Izuku had curiously disappeared until there was a knock at the door. Suigetsu was stood there fidgeting.
"Uh, Izuku brought me here? Said he'd get the others as well," Jugo appeared in a green flash, taking in his surroundings in a panic before calming down and shifting uncomfortably "He nab you too?"
"He just appeared and said, see you there," Jugo nodded, in the next second there was a larger green flash and Izuku was stood with the three from Tayuya's squad.
"This is Jirobo," Izuku introduced the man with three strips of orange hair who seemed to find his own feet incredible, "Kidomaru," The man with four arms fidgeted with all four hands while nervously looking away "And Sakon," The pale blue haired man couldn't look directly at Naruto, "They were on the team that hunted for the traitor,"
"Kabuto isn't,"
"He was, he was working for ROOT, he was going to kill Orochimaru after learning everything he could and steal the knowledge," Tayuya spoke from the pot. Naruto stood out the way of the door and gestured for them to come inside, they did so nervously and shyly introducing themselves, sitting with Temari and Tayuya or the other side of Orochimaru. Soon enough they were able to relax and laugh with the others, everyone swapping stories and telling jokes. The place was alive with high spirits. Sasuke got up and walked over to Naruto and Izuku.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Izuku mused
"What?"
"That," He nodded his head to the room, "Is all because of us," Naruto beamed, putting an arm around Izuku and an arm around Sasuke.
"Yeah it is isn't it?" In his mind he could vividly remember the nights when the three of them would cook together, Naruto trying to make instant ramen while Izuku began fixing whatever Sasuke did. He could see Sakura and Ino shyly asking to help before weeks later striding in and putting on aprons. He could hear Itachi and Izuku chat as they cooked, loading up Sasuke and Naruto with plate after plate for the large group and then Shisui helping out after he revealed his sight. Naruto remembered poker nights, when the Sharigan users would play their own game or be heavily watched to mak sure they didn't cheat. The laughter and joy that this group generated, no matter the time of day. Clutching the boys in his arms he hugged them tightly. "Thank you guys," He allowed himself this moment, to let the secret fear of being left flow out of him. He gave himself this moment to let the weights of loneliness truly drop away, crying only a little. Both boys hugged him while embracing the other too.
"Hey it was your relentless optimism that let us begin doing this," There was another knock at the door, Naruto curiously opened it to find Grampa Third stood in the doorway.
"I heard there was a commotion," He raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, there is Grampa, we need you in here to help sort it out," Izuku grinned
"Oh I couldn't possibly impose,"
"No Grampa," Naruto smiled "We insist, come on in, get comfy, you haven't had dinner with us in ages," The old man smiled warmly and gently made his way in, slowly lowering himself among his students. The blond stared into the room again, beaming. As Tsunade handed Grampa a hot chocolate, and Shisui used a rubber band to ping paper at Kakashi, as Sakura absentmindedly stirred the pot and Tayuya taught a few how to play the flute, Naruto smiled. He'd found it, after all these years, all this time, here it was, the very thing he had longed for since before he'd met Izuku and Sasuke.
Here was his family.
And goddammit did he love them all.
The three all seemed to share the sentiment as they took deep breaths before they stepped forwards. As they did so, a thought struck him.
"We're going to need a bigger table,"
Mina crept silently, she didn't know why she was doing this. In fact she questioned her own sanity because not only did she not know why, she didn't even question why. The alleys were dark and honestly anything could be hidden anywhere. Her body just kept moving though, regardless of how shitless she was scared. "Oh my god I'm going to get killed," She whispered, chiding herself, yet her body kept moving. It wasn't even like she was close to home, she'd just decided to go on a walk after dinner and told her parents not to worry if she was home late, now she was half a city away and her legs kept fucking going. There was a snicker behind her and several bodies began moving. "Ohh god, this is it," She whispered, "I'm going to get killed in an alley and no-one's going to,"
"Y'know, after so many stories, I'd think people would learn not to go exploring alleyways, unarmed, untrained, alon3 and in the dead of night," That voice spoke from in front of her as she kept walking forwards. Until she bumped into a wall of a body and an arm was pulled around her shoulders, "Ladies, go about your business, forget you saw us, it'll work out better for you," One cackled,
"Ooh, looks like we found a toy!" They all laughed, "We'll make real good use of you once we kill the bitch boy!" There was a heavy sigh and Mina found her self put behind him.
"I should've learned by now, night time crawlers aren't going to listen to me," His body shifted as a hand reached his face and the cloak around his body was suddenly whipped off him into the wind. Mina squinted at him but again his body seemed covered in shadows. "You might want to look away MIss Ashido," No, she wanted to see this. The figure pulled out a weapon like the one he'd given her those nights ago and threw it at the group. They all cried and tried to dodge. Until in a twin flash of green light the figure was amongst the women in the air. A quick rotation of his body and he lashed out with all four limbs, striking four different heads, the bodies crumpled. The last woman stepped backwards as the figure disappeared again. This time in a swirl of cold air and leaves. "Boo," He whispered before his arm snapped against the woman's neck, knocking her out immediately. Rope appeared from, somewhere as they tied the group together. Holding out his hand the cloak appeared in a green light and the man swirled it over his shoulders before his hand rose again and he turned around. Shadows immediately swept to his face and Mina couldn't identify anything except the green hair again. She realized her mouth had been open and quickly clacked her jaw shut. He walked back over and stood beside her. "Are you okay?"
"I am now," She answered without thinking. "I was looking for you,"
"You could've summoned me,"
"I can't if I use my quirk I'll,"
"I didn't say use your quirk, I said focus on the kunai," So that's what the blade was. "If it helps you can try to make it use your quirk,"
"How did you find me?"
"Chance, I just fulfilled a promise to someone that is helping me,"
"And that is,"
"Classified," She pouted and crossed her arms, "Now I believe it is time for you to get home," Suddenly Mina found herself in a bridal carry and they were walking up a wall again.
"Is there nothing I can call you,"
"Kage will do for now,"
"Okay, Kage, is there anything you can tell me?"
"I am male," No shit, "I come from a world you wouldn't survive a day in," Rude, "I my favourite colour is green," Bland "And I can read minds," Fuck. "Heard that."
"How?"
"Trade secret but when you broadcast your thoughts that loudly, I struggle not to hear them," He laughed as they bounded between rooftops, "I'm joking by the way, your facial reactions gave everything away," Mina sighed in relief. They stopped on the wall of her bedroom, next to an open window. Suddenly they were in her room. A copy of Kage appeared in a puff of smoke and turned on the nightlight bathing the room in orange and he laid her down on her bed. "Now I'd appreciate it if you didn't go treasure hunting in the night again, especially alone," She grabbed his hand as he turned. "You wish for me to stay?" She nodded and the light was flicked off before it returned. When she looked there was only one Kage, stood opposite her bed by the wall. "Is it because you want to talk again?" She nodded again. "Very well, may I take a seat?" Mina scooted over and patted the mattress. He strode over and sat down, Mina smiled and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him into the bed with her. "Are you quite sure? I won't be here when you wake up?"
"It's okay," She hugged his muscular body contently. "Could you talk to me?"
"About what?"
"Anything, hell I don't mind if you tell me a story,"
"Er, alright well," And so he launched into a story, of what she wouldn't remember, because she would just remember holding him and him her, while his scent reminded her of a forest after the rain and made her feel safe. She didn't care if he was there in the morning, because he was here now.
And that's all that mattered.
"I don't like being followed," Rumi tensed as something sharp was put against her throat, "And the only reason you were able to keep up is because I wanted to know if you were following me or not," She growled and felt the rage in her gut. She was Miruko second year UA student and rising hero. Sure she was a Sidekick right now, but she was given her own patrol route, her own shift. She was powerful goddammit! How had she let this fucker get so close? "Easy there bunny rabbit, why don't we start with some identification,"
"Bunny hero Miruko,"
"Why were you following me?"
"Because you seemed suspicious,"
"How so?"
"Watching a group of random citizens walking in and out of their house,"
"I was watching a group of Yakuza grunts walking in and out of their safehouse, there's something dangerous going on in there,"
"Give me a reason to believe you," An arm wrapped around her body and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back against a body. A very non-feminine body.
"Oh? Now I really want to know why you were watching them? Finding a guy on the streets is hard these days,"
"Because they're all locked up in government farms," He growled into her ear. Shit was he taller than her? "Now I've told you what's going on,"
"How would you deal with the Yakuza?"
"Trade secret," The arm and blade moved away as she was pushed forwards.
"Oh really? And where would you learn these secrets?"
"Classified," Rumi huffed, she'd met many villains like this. Bluffing with no real power behind them.
"Well, sorry buddy, but I gotta take you in," Jumping into the air she lifted a leg, "Luna Fall!" Her body fell towards the man. She smiled arrogantly as they didn't move. Probably frozen in fear. Until their hand lifted out of the cloak and caught her fucking kick. She stared at him, baffled.
"Cute," He remarked, before throwing her back to square one. "I was really hoping would could just resolve this peacefully," A white porcelian mask was lifted from the cloak and clipped onto his face, as his hand lowered it caught on a clasp and undid the cloak. It billowed away into the night air revealing, even in darkness, how muscular the man was. "In the report, please refer to me as Kage," A request? That was new. Rumi crouched low and charged her opponent. Once again a grin adorned her face until his foot came from nowhere, sidelining her in an instant. She rolled with the blow and wuickly got up to charge again. Aiming a roundhouse kick Rumi put her power into her leg, ready to break a few of his ribs if needed. Kage just stepped back and lifted his own leg, stopping the blow entirely. A slight pain raced up her shin. Dropping her leg she aimed to kick with her other foot. He ducked under it cleanly and stood back up. She aimed for his ankle, only for his other leg to stop it. She winced slightly from pain and hopped to switch feet. He blocked her attack with his foot again, pulling back for a second to kick it away. Caught off balance she wasn't prepared for him to lift his foot further and kick her in the gut. Winded she put an arm over her stomach, it was definitely about to bruise with how much it hurt. Her anger bubbled, it shouldn't hurt, this was a man. A quirkless, weak man. He should've fallen to the floor the moment he knew she was there! He should be fearing for his health, pleading to not be hurt. "Miruko, you have one more chance, stand down," His tone inclined warning, as if he had a chance of winning. So he got a few lucky hits in, Rumi was still going to win this.
"Go to hell," A heavy sigh,
"Very well," He moved with blinding speed, a strong kick fractured her humerus. A direct stamp to her leg and her femur definitely had breaks somewhere. The body appeared in a flicker in front of her again, kicking her gut in. Yup that's an internal bruise. As she moved back he shimmered into existence below her, bending at an impossible angle. His foot connected and she flew skywards. Looking up at the moon she saw his body appear against it harshly. His leg rose in a semicircle before an axe kick sent her crashing back into the roof. Closing her eyes she awaited the painful impact. Only to be intercepted by arms holding her neck and shoulders and her waist.
"A-all Mi-,"
"Kage," She froze as they landed on another rooftop. gently she was sat down on an AC unit and Kage put his hands to her arm and leg. A soft green glow emanated from his hands and warmed her up. Her leg immediately felt fixed and the hand laid directly on her gut. "I hope this is ample enough reason to not attempt pursuing me or, 'taking me in' as you say, again," His hand moved away from her arm and into his cloak. Wait, when had he put that on again? How he even find the fucking thing? It went away with the wind for crying out loud! "Trade secrets," He muttered, "You were staring at my cloak," His hand returnde with a blade, holding the handle out to her. There was a dozen or so tiny scribbles on it. "You don't seem like the person to accept help but if you ever find yourself in over your head, hold this and think of me, I'll find you," It was forced into her hand.
"How? Lemme guess, trade secret?"
"Yes, and my brother is very much like a fox, so I've learned a few things," His hidden face was inches from hers, "Like hunting down bunnies," Rumi shivered at his gentle growl despite herself. "Now I must be going," Kage turned around and strolled towards the edge of the rooftop. "Let this be the last time you underestimate me, Miss Usagiyama," Her eyes widened in shock at both her name and how casually Kage walked off the edge of the building. Darting over the edge she looked over to see a handful of leaves falling in a swirl of air. Rumi looked at the weapon in her hand and thought. He'd easily stopped a supermove, beaten her in strength and easily matched her in flexibility from the looks of that axe kick. Seeing as he was nowhere in sight, not even on the horizon, he clearly had been letting her chase him, Yes, even though she was loathe to admit it, Kage had her beat. And yet, she didn't find herself stewing in fury, because he'd also caught her from a definitely bone breaking landing before healing up her injuries. He'd prevented her from getting seriously harmed and then handed her what amounted to an emergency SOS directly to him. He'd made her feel safe despite beating her black and blue without a sweat seconds earlier. Her eyes widened when she realized, he hadn't even wanted to fight her! He'd been reluctant to do more than counter which means he must've held back on her! Clutching the weapon and staring at the moon, Rumi resolved to find him again and get some answers.