Thirty Minutes Later
"Why the hell am I here again?" I growl out to the rest of the people in the room. "There's no reason for me to be here. None at all."
"Yukie and Sandayu told us they're going to explain why those shinobi are after Yukie. More specifically something she has. It's important to the mission." Shikamaru blandly tells me with a frown of distaste on his mouth.
It's not that he's frowning at me or anyone really, he's frowning because he doesn't like not knowing things. He's a kind of guy that wants all the pieces of the puzzle, and a picture of it, and detailed instructions on how to put it together.
"And how, oh wise one, does that involve me?" I growl back to him again.
"Because you need to know why they're after her just as much as we do." Shikamaru bluntly says. "It's important to the mission."
"No it's not." I dismiss his logic with a irritated wave. "I'm just supposed to keep her alive. I don't care who is after her, it doesn't matter. At all."
"You're not even curious to who they were? Or what they were after? Or why?" Ino asks me in confusion.
"Frankly I don't give a damn." Plus I already know all of this thanks to Shirokumo. The spy network is really paying off, I knew this days ago. It's fantastic, now I can leave and go do my own thing because we'll be getting off the ship soon and then I'll have to actually be more attentive to my bodyguarding role. "I don't care if her uncle Doto ordered the shinobi to retrieve the Hexagonal Crystal to unlock a hidden secret of the Land of Snow that her dad made before said uncle overthrew him to assume leadership of the country. None of that has anything to do with keeping her alive so I'm outta here. I've got better shit to do."
I stomp over to the exit in a displeased attitude.
"Dragging me down here for this." I mutter. "Barbarians. It's like they don't understand that the mission would be the same if Iwa shinobi were after her head. It's just keeping her alive, they're blowing this way out of proportion."
The door swings shut behind me.
"So… I've heard him say some crazy things but that's new even for me." Kakashi sheepishly admits. "But the craziest thing is I can confirm half of what he said is true." Kakashi turns his gaze onto Yukie. "I remember being sent on a mission here, one to smuggle a particular person out before their tyrannical uncle could start his coup. I opposed a Doto Kazahana and those same three shinobi years ago to smuggle out the daimyo's daughter. You've grown a lot, Koyuki Kazahana. I didn't even recognize you."
"You two know each other?" Anko asks in surprise. "Kakashi I had no idea you've saved a princess! That's like something out of a fairytale!"
"Yes." Koyuki admits with a great deal of strain. "He's the one who got me out, it seems fitting that he brings me back."
"That's not everything." Sandayu takes up speaking once it becomes clear that Koyuki is done. "That... "
"Alvarcus." Shikamaru supplies,
"Thank you. Alvarcus was completely right about everything." Sandayu pushes his glasses up his nose in preparation to tell the story. "Many years ago…"
Each shinobi attentive listens to the sad and tragic tale Sandayu weaves about Koyuki and the Land of Snow's past.
"So there you have it." Sandayu finishes his long history lesson. "She's the Land of Snow's final hope. She's the only person who the people of this country will acknowledge as a true leader. A fair and just Daimyo. It is all up to her to restore peaceful ways to our home."
"This mission just got way more difficult." Shikamaru groaned in resignation. "Alright, we'll help. It takes shinobi to defeat shinobi, civilians like yourselves won't stand a chance. We will defeat Doto and his posse but it is your duty to step up and lead the people."
"I don't even want to be here." Koyuki harshly spits out those words. "I do not care about this dreadful place any longer."
"That's too bad because this 'dreadful place' cares about you. You have a responsibility to the people of this country." Shikamaru does not mince his words.
"You know nothing." Koyuki storms out of the room to go to her own quarters.
"I am sorry for the way she acts." Sandayu bows to the gathered shinobi. "I believe her heart will change once she sees what has become of her home with her own eyes. It is one thing to be told that your people are suffering but it is another thing to see it first hand. I believe that will rekindle her flame, her hope. I bid you all farewell, she shouldn't be alone right now."
Sandayu leaves after his Princess.
"Anyone else pissed off that Alvarcus knew all of that but didn't tell us?" Anko asks the rest of the Konoha group. "Cuz I sure am. That would have been nice to know before we got into this mess."
"Hell yeah I am." Shikamaru passionately agrees with Anko. "How long did he know? What else does he know that he's not telling us?"
"Do you really think we can get him to answer those questions?" Naruto brings up a very good point. "He doesn't even want to be here, not to mention actively trying to help us."
"I can get it out of him." Kakashi promises. "He will listen to me for something this serious."
"Yeah cuz he respects you as an authority figure so much." Shikamaru bluntly denies that idea. "Alvarcus doesn't respond well to demands and orders especially from those he knows don't actually have any power over him. Hate to break it to you, but that includes you Kakashi."
"Yes, you're right." Anko slyly shoots a particular member of the group a look. "He's always responded more favorably to a… lighter touch."
"Someone who knows him well enough to trick him several times." Shikamaru joins in on Anko's sly look. "A person he has a soft spot for."
Everyone else gets the idea. They're all staring slyly at one particular member.
"What?" Ino asks in confusion. "What's with all the looks?"
...
The Crow's Nest
"Hey Alvarcus -"
"Go away Ino." I cut her off from finishing whatever the thought was. "I don't really care what you have to say about that confrontation at all. I did exactly what I promised to do, keep Koyuki alive. I didn't help anyone else because I don't have to, they can look after themselves. So if you're here to rip me a new one save it. I'm not in the mood."
"It's not about-"
"What part of go away didn't you understand?" I say with just a hint of a warning in my voice. "You're not going to convince me to do more. It's not happening."
"Will you let me finish?" She snarls out at me. "I hate being interrupted."
"Will you go away? Because I hate socializing after a battle. Even if I didn't really do anything. Plus I've got to figure out how I'm supposed to do what I came here to do while also upholding my agreement with Shikamaru. I'm busy." I'm banking on Doto showing up himself at some point. Then I'll get his armor off of him and get him to tell me if there's any more of the metal that is easy to get to. I wouldn't hurt to have a good supply to work with.
"I WANT MY CLOTHES!" She shouts at me in anger. "YOU! ME! MY CABIN! CLOTHES! NOW!"
"Oh. Whoops. Totally read the situation wrong. My bad?" That's not awkward at all.
"I have waited long enough!" She snatches my wrist in her hand. "We're doing this now before you miraculously slip away again!"
...
A/N:
If we hit 500 Power Stones by the end of this week, I'll drop an extra chapter as a thank-you!
Thanks for the support! ;)
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