Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Catharsis	By : WaisetsuNingyou Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 968 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Chapter 6.Dying with Regrets
Three figures stood ahead of them at Konoha's gates, two of them waving. As they drew nearer, Kakashi's team got a closer look at the three people standing there: all women, one of them Tsunade, and the other two were redheads, one with a very round belly.
"For Pete's sake," Kakashi groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Kami-sama, if you hate me, if I've done anything so wrong and sinful in your eyes... just smite me right now."
The two redheads were none other than the Niikura Corporation matriarch, Niikura Nanakusa, and her only daughter, Minami--the worst two people in the Niikura family for Kakashi to have to meet up with. Nanakusa paired with her daughter meant twice the pestering, twice the teasing, twice the prodding, twice the ordering, twice the compulsive spending (and twice the amount of bags that he would have to carry)... the mother and daughter duo were just double trouble. He would have rather shoved senbon underneath his finger nails than be with the two redheads; unlike their incessant banter, the pain would at least go away.
The two women noticed Kakashi's discomfort and their faces split into identical mischievous grins, as if they were preparing to unleash their merciless mocking fury on him--but, to Kakashi's relief, a loud cry immediately diverted their attention away from him.
Shizuka had lingered towards the back of the group, holding Aoi's hand while he toddled along next to her. At the sight of Konoha's gates, the toddler became overexcited and tried to run ahead. However, his unsteady tot legs had not yet developed enough for him to run as quickly as he wanted, causing him to stumble and scrape his knees.
Yamato, who had remained at the rear behind Shizuka and Aoi, tried to help the woman while their young charge bawled loudly over the scrapes on his chubby knees. Sakura and Naruto joined the two adults moments later, when Aoi started to flail in Shizuka's lap as she sat on her haunches, trying to examine his cuts. Naruto's presence didn't help the situation, as Aoi only let out an ear-splitting scream and started kicking and flailing even more.
Laughing heartily, Nanakusa helped Minami waddle over to the group fussing over to the little boy, while Tsunade beckoned Kakashi and Naruto over--the latter she only called over to try to get Aoi to stop screeching and fretting as much as he was.
Tsunade pat Kakashi on the shoulder, and said, "Well, it's rather obvious that your mission was a success. You managed to get past that obstinate brother of hers?"
Kakashi shrugged. "It wasn't that hard. He was almost overjoyed when we came to pick up the kid."
Disappointed, Tsunade shook her head, and then looked over at the group that had surrounded Aoi. Thanks to Sakura and her medical jutsu, he was no longer crying his throat raw. Now, he was back to gurgling and chirruping like the happiest child in the world, while Nanakusa, Sakura, and Shizuka cooed over him. Looking on and conversing to each other at the same time (probably over the pregnancy) were Yamato and Minami.
Kakashi looked suspiciously at Tsunade. "With all due respect, Hokage-sama... You didn't plan it to come out this way on purpose did you?"
"Ach, no," Tsunade scoffed, waving the blame away. "I'm not interested in that kind of thing." She placed her hand by her mouth and pointed discreetly at the older Niikura. "It was all Nana, I swear."
That conniving bitch! Kakashi cursed silently. One of these days, I'll fucking kill her.
The secret told, Tsunade continued, "If you'll excuse me, I need to speak to her and Shizuka. You are all dismissed for today."
"Yes!" cheered Naruto. "Sakura-chan! Wanna go to Ichiraku for dinner?"
After giving Aoi one last kiss on his forehead, Sakura lamented, "Naruto, right now? I haven't taken a good bath since the hot springs. I must be gross."
"Well, not now," Naruto assured her. "In an hour maybe?"
"Alright then," Sakura agreed. "If I see any of the others, would it be okay if I invited them to come along?"
"Awww, damn, Sakura. I wanted this to be like a date."
Meanwhile, Minami had sidled up somewhat awkwardly next to Kakashi. Her stomach bumped into his arm as she turned and she chuckled good-naturedly, "Oh my, that doesn't really work with this belly of mine. Anyway, speaking of dinner, I wanted to ask you if you'd mind having a drink with me? Yamato-kun, you're allowed to come along as well."
"Aren't you not supposed to drink when you're pregnant?" Kakashi asked incredulously as they seated themselves at the bar of a popular shinobi tavern some time later. Yamato had decided not to come along, saying how he needed to take care of some ANBU business.
"Whoever said I was going to drink?" Minami asked, scanning the menu. "I'm going to eat my heart out instead! I have two stomachs to feed, you know."
"Two stomachs?" Kakashi chuckled. "You make yourself sound like a mutant cow."
Over the menu, Minami glared at Kakashi with steely eyes. "Excuse me?"
"It was supposed to be a joke." Kakashi took a hesitant sidelong glass at her before ordering a beer. Minami seemed to order the entire menu, presumably to fill her "two stomachs." The redhead sat a good foot or so away from the edge of the countertop, thanks to her bulging stomach.
"I always thought you were careful about that sort of thing," Kakashi quipped, ending the silence.
"How rude," Minami pouted. She held out her right hand in front of them, showing off a gold wedding band with an elegant design of curving lines and swirls. "I was young, foolish, and my hormones were out of control back then. But, now, I'm older and wiser. I think I can say I've calmed down considerably since then. This pregnancy was a conscious decision." She pulled her wallet out of her expensive leather purse to show off a picture of her wedding day. "Ne ne, Kakashi-kun, that's my husband, Kuroda Ranmaru. He's the son of the head of the ship-building company."
In the picture, a handsome man with hazel eyes and dirty blond hair, dressed in a formal hakama, stood next to a blushing Minami, glowing in her white furisode. Kakashi smiled, and asked, "How long has it been so far?"
"Only about a year and a half, but we started dating three years ago," Minami replied, putting her wallet back.
"You finally settled down," Kakashi remarked. (Minami could have sworn she heard him sigh in relief once he finished the sentence.) "I'm happy that you found someone... I wish you two the best for the future."
Minami didn't thank him for his good wishes, or smile back like she usually would have. She only stared blankly at the polished wood countertop, even when the bartender brought the appetizers she had ordered. Her hands tightened around the edge of her stool, until she finally wondered, "Ne... Kakashi-kun... do you believe in the red string of fate?"
Kakashi pulled down his mask to eat, and then snuck a pot sticker from one of the plates. He popped it in his mouth, swallowed it, and then said, "I suppose I do... what about it?"
Minami stuck a chopstick in one of the dumplings and twirled it around absent-mindedly as she explained, "You know... there's always someone on the other end of that string. It's shorter for some people, longer for others... like me, for example. Until I met Ranmaru, I spent years trying to find the end of that string. It took me a while to realize, but when I did reach the end, I was so overjoyed that I can't even describe it to you."
"I'm glad of that," Kakashi said, taking another pot sticker.
"But, like I said, there are people who don't have to search as long to find the end of that string," she continued. The pot sticker that she had impaled slid down her chopstick, so Minami slid it back to the end and into her mouth. When she gulped it down, she looked at Kakashi. Was that envy he saw in her eyes? "People like you have to do so little to find the person you're looking for... but then when that someone is right in front of you, you don't take them. I don't understand."
Kakashi looked away, slightly annoyed, before calling for another beer. "To be completely honest, I would have declined the invitation to dinner if you weren't treating me. That 'someone' burned--forgive the pun--a big hole in my bank account when I treated her and my team to a stay at a ryokan, so it was an invitation I couldn't say no to."
"Kakashi..."
"I didn't come just so you could lecture me or talk about me and her and what happened between us."
Minami grew impatient. "Kakashi... will you just--"
"I don't want to talk about it. It's not relevant to--"
"Kakashi, shut the hell up!" Minami burst out. She slammed her chopsticks onto the countertop, snapping them in half. The tavern patrons turned around and stared at the source of the outburst. Minami completely ignored them as she berated him, "I'm paying for the bill, so the very least you could do is listen to what I have to say! You might think it's not important to you, but it's important to me, as Shizuka's best friend! You haven't seen her in the last seven years, so don't fucking tell me it's not important!"
"Minami," Kakashi coughed quietly. "People are staring."
"Eh?"
Minami turned slowly to look around. Everyone in the restaurant had stopped what they were doing to gape wordlessly at the two. A waiter forgot about the glass he had been filling, holding an empty pitcher with a mess of water and ice at his feet. It took some time for her to process why they were staring; when she realized why, she tipped her head, and apologized, very embarrassed, "S-Sorry for interrupting your meals. So sorry, so sorry, it was quite rude of me. So very very sorry."
Very red and flustered, she turned back in her seat. She began to speak to Kakashi again, this time more calmly and softer--when she saw that he was no longer there. Minami found it utterly frustrating... at the same time, she almost couldn't blame him for not wanting to listen to her.
--------------------------------------------------
Shizuka looked on nervously while Kotetsu held onto Aoi, who had fallen fast asleep in his arms. She turned to the village elders and the Hokage sitting in front of her, and her anxiety only increased. No, Shizuka, this is not a good time to show how worried you are, she warned herself. I have to be assertive about this.
"I would like to have custody over my nephew, Hibashira Aoi."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked questioningly at each other. Before any of them could say anything, Tsunade stepped forward and declared, "Request denied."
"Tsunade!" chorused the two elders, glaring at the Godaime.
Koharu cleared her throat. "While your opinion on this matter is considered, whether or not Konoha will honor Hibashira-san's request will not be decided on your word alone."
Shizuka, however, acted as if the elder was not speaking and spoke over her, and asked, "I think I'm within my rights to ask why not."
Tsunade settled back against the armchair, cutting off the elders before they tried to speak again, "And, as your superior, I'm within my rights to not answer. Nevertheless, I'll explain the situation to you so--"
"Like we've already said, Tsunade," interrupted Homura, very impatiently, "please do not act as if the decision has already been made."
"Please excuse me, Mitokado-sama," Shizuka said, bowing her head, "but this is a matter regarding myself and members of my family. I would like to hear what Tsunade-sama has to say, and, until she has finished, I would greatly appreciate it if none of the elders interrupted. Onegaishimasu."
With heavy, irritated sighs, the three elders relented, much to Tsunade's pleasure. The blonde Hokage repeated, "I'll explain the situation to you so that when we end this meeting, we can understand each other. To begin, based on records that Nanakusa managed to retrieve, Aoi's abilities manifested only a month ago. Additionally, your aunt was able to prevent any release of this knowledge since then, so I believe we can be confident that the knowledge of his Bloodline limit is largely unknown. Despite this, I still believe that you becoming his guardian would be a dangerous course of action."
Shizuka challenged, "I don't understand. If so little is known about Aoi-chan, then why is it bad if I raise him? And, unless I don't know Nanakusa, she would have also prevented any sort of information about his disappearance from leaking as well. As for myself, as far as I know, most shinobi have no idea what's happened to me all these years. I could be dead for all they know. Based on that, I don't see the as much of a risk in my being a guardian as you believe there is."
"Have you forgotten who you are, Shizuka?" Tsunade demanded. "You, my dear, have a large bounty on your head, as well as a reputation--a reputation for perseverance and wits, I might add. Even if you really were dead, it'd be hard to believe you'd let that happen to you. You still have headhunters running all over the country looking for you, did you know that?"
"I'm sure they've looked through Konoha already and realized that I haven't been here for ages."
"Shizuka, you are being stubborn and selfish," Tsunade snapped. "Do you really think you can keep yourself hidden in the village, especially when you won't be moving around as extensively as you had been for the past seven years? That's one of the reasons why I'd rather not see you as his guardian, even though you are his aunt. You're a danger to yourself and that danger could very possibly extend to him, if you are attacked in Konoha.
"There are two other factors that come into play." Tsunade raised her index finger. "The war that is going on right now: we've already established that you will return to service. Consequently, that will expose your whereabouts to bounty hunters. Even so, Konoha is ready to break its record in low manpower since the Third Secret World War and we need you in the battlefields. All qualified shinobi are actively participating in the war, with little rest in between missions. Given that kind of schedule, you can't think that you'll be home long enough to take care of your nephew adequately."
"The war won't go on forever," Shizuka insisted. "What will become of Aoi after the war?"
"That will be decided once the war ends," said Tsunade. She raised a second finger. "The second factor is the recent kidnappings. I don't know whether or not Kakashi told you what was going on, but I'll explain to you anyway. So far, among our allies, several families with Bloodline limits or secret techniques have had members go missing in between missions or they were taken directly from their home villages. Konoha has been fortunate enough that no one has been kidnapped, but we have been forced to take precautions. We've relocated the larger families with Bloodline limits or secret techniques throughout the village, rather than letting them live in their complexes for an all-you-can-kidnap buffet. Likewise, to protect Aoi and further his anonymity, for the time being, it's more prudent to keep him separated from you."
Shizuka contended hotly, "Well if it's going to become an 'all-you-can-kidnap buffet,' then wouldn't they want to kidnap the more valuable one? Even if Aoi is with me, they won't take a two-year-old. It'll be me they take before him."
Tsunade glowered at the younger woman, frustrated by her obstinacy. She ordered, "Listen Shizuka, we don't know who has been doing the kidnappings or why they've been doing it. This is not a good time and the only thing I can do is take precautions. If they've been able to capture shinobi, we're not just dealing with some petty criminals. If they want you, they could use Aoi as bait. If they don't want you because you're difficult to deal with, they'll take Aoi. Either way, they'll take him�I'm sure that's the last thing you'd want to happen to your nephew. You and Aoi are at extremely high risk since there's only two of you and your kekkei genkai is extremely powerful in terms of its destructive force; there will be people turning the countries upside down and inside out just looking for you.
"The last factor I already mentioned: you're a danger to yourself. Even if you do get custody of Aoi, what use are you if you've been dragged off dead to a checkpoint or if you've been captured? Konoha will watch over Aoi and provide everything the boy needs, and it'll free you up to worry about keeping yourself in one piece. And who knows, if you can do that, you can raise Aoi in the future."
Shizuka's eyes burned with the desire to continue arguing, but her mouth had no more words to say. Instead, she looked imploringly at the elders, hoping that they would overturn Tsunade. Sadly, it was not so.
Homura sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Shizuka, but I'm afraid that I will have to agree with Tsunade-sama."
Koharu nodded her head sagely in agreement. The decision was made.
The brunette took a deep breath, a look of defeat on her face. She bit her lip, still searching for something to argue. She couldn't find it. She shook the tears about to well up in her eyes, and stood up. Bowing to the three in front of her, she accepted, "Very well then; I apologize for the trouble. Please excuse me."
"Shizuka!" Tsunade ordered just as she was about to leave. "Shizuka, remember, you're not the only one with a Bloodline limit in Konoha. Everyone is fighting for Konoha, despite the risk it poses for them. We all want to protect our home and our families. I mean, I can let you visit Aoi, but I just can't allow you to raise him by yourself, especially when he won't have someone there half of the time."
Shizuka didn't say anything. Koharu added, "It is true that everyone is fighting. However, all the Bloodline limit clans have extra precautions in that they will be accompanied by at least one jounin and an ANBU member in a four-man team. That means, Shizuka, you will not be working alone, like you used to. From now on, your team members will include Hatake Kakashi and Yamato. The fourth person will rotate between Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura."
"Please excuse me."
Without another look at Tsunade, Koharu, or Homura, Shizuka walked solemnly towards the door and left.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind the brunette, the heavy air that had floated over the group dispelled, and all three inhaled deeply in relief. Tsunade grumbled, "That was too much."
There was a knock on the door. "It's Nanakusa-san," Homura said. He turned to the door. "You may enter."
The door opened with a slight creak and Nanakusa popped her head in, beaming at all of them. "So, I heard your little discussion. Good job, Tsuna--"
"Ayase Nanakusa, I am going to kill you," Tsunade spat. She jabbed the air with her index finger. "You tell us to deny Shizuka's request for custody over Aoi, but you don't tell us what to say. You heard me, I was scrambling for excuses and that girl wouldn't stop poking holes in them!"
"Maa maa, Tsunade-hime, you're so mad that you're calling me by my full maiden name?" Nanakusa chuckled. "It wasn't that bad. She relented in the end, didn't she?"
"Nanakusa-san, it's not something to laugh about," Koharu scolded. She pulled out a manila folder, heavy with papers, from behind her, and held it out for everyone to see. "You gave us her medical records, which alone would have been substantial evidence to why you believed her unsuited for being his guardian. But I do not understand why we were not allowed to use this as our reason."
"Because," Nanakusa sang, "Shizuka would have seen my hand in it."
"Then let her see your involvement!" Tsunade complained. "Rather than make me wrack my brains for trumped up excuses."
"But they weren't excuses."
Homura joined in to harangue the redhead, "Excuses or not, you asked us to do this or that, but you don't give us a plan of action. And I'd like to know why Kakashi and Yamato have to be on her team, since you insisted on it so strongly."
"Because they're among the top jounin in the village, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to Shizuka. We might not be blood-relatives, but I do care about her."
"That's not a reason," Koharu shot back. "Nanakusa, there's something you aren't telling us. If I didn't know any better, I would say that you are a terrible aunt."
Nanakusa's face fell. She turned to the three, looking out the window. Shizuka had just left the building and was walking slowly down the main street. Nanakusa turned again, this time to look at the toddler still sleeping in Kotetsu's arms; it was amazing how heavily the child could sleep.
"You'd think it's silly, but I'll tell you anyway," Nanakusa admitted sadly, looking out the window again. "You all know that, growing up, Shizuka developed a lot of problems. Most--if not, all--of those problems still exist; she hasn't come to terms with any of them. If I hadn't given you her medical records, if I hadn't asked you to deny her request, she could have easily become Aoi's guardian--it would have been the most suitable thing to do since she is his aunt.
�However, unconsciously, she would have used him as a trade-off for her problems, something else to take their place in her head. Aoi doesn't deserve that. Before she takes on another responsibility, it's absolutely vital that she takes care of her responsibilities towards herself by reconciling. The purpose in placing her with Kakashi and Yamato was because she has a history with the former--the latter would be there to keep them from killing each other."
Nanakusa turned back to Tsunade and the two elders. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you. But please understand, Shizuka is like a daughter to me. If something happens to her in battle, the last thing I'd want for her is to die with regrets."
--------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes: Wow, lots of dialogue in this chappie, eh?
Because it was suggested by a reviewer, I will include extra notes that elaborate on some of the things that viewers of the Naruto dub only would probably like to know. For instance, ANBU is known as the "Black Ops" in the licensed dubs/translations of Naruto.
// Kami-sama: God
// senbon: That long metal needle that Genma is usually sucking on. Haku uses them as well.
// -chan, -kun, -san, -sama: They're all honorifics. Aoi is usually called "Aoi-chan," because -chan is commonly used for young children. "-chan" can also be used when someone is addressing a significant other (usually the girl) or between family members and friends, as a term of affection. Minami has a habit of calling Kakashi with "-kun"; it's used between people who are friendly with each other, usually with boys. Shizuka is sometimes referred to by her name and the addition of "-san", which is used in more formal situations and between people who are less familiar with each other. -sama is more formal than -san, and generally used towards people who are of higher stature. There's tons more suffixes that can be used, but when someone uses no suffix, it can be rude depending on the situation. For instance, if you have two people who are not too familiar with each other, if one addresses the other without an honorific, it would be impolite. Calling someone their name with no suffix is usually used for family members, married couples, etc.--i.e. people who are very close to each other.
// hakama: The things that the Shinigami wear in Bleach. xD I don't know how else to describe it; I'm sure if you Google a picture, you'll be able to find one. In modern times, men's hakama are usually worn for formal events--in Minami's case, a wedding.
// furisode: A kimono with extra-long sleeves that are usually worn by girls to celebrate their coming of age (20 in Japan); they're also worn for major social functions, like weddings.
// the red string of fate: Also known as the red string of destiny, it's a popular East Asian belief where everyone is said to be connected to another person by an invisible red string around their little finger. The person on the other end is said to be "the one" for them, similar to the Western idea of "soulmates."
// Onegaishimasu: A very polite way of saying "please."
// Maa maa: Now, now.
- 5
- 6
- 7
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Catharsis