Konan stayed still, her thoughts racing as her face burned with embarrassment. Why had Kenshin held her like that, especially after he had made it clear how awkward he felt about the situation the previous night?
Then it hit her. Her hands were tightly gripping his. 'He did it because I grabbed his hand and wouldn't let go,' she realized with a mix of mortification and gratitude.
She shifted slightly, and Kenshin's eyes fluttered open. His expression softened as he met her gaze, but her own face flushed even brighter.
"You were having a rough time, weren't you, onee-san?" Kenshin said softly, sitting up as he spoke. "When you fell asleep, you grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. You were mumbling, 'don't go.'" He conveniently left out the part about her pleading for him not to die, sparing her further embarrassment.
Konan's eyes widened in shock before she abruptly let go of his hand, the motion so sudden it surprised even her.
She sat up quickly, trying to mask her flustered state. "We should get going soon," she said curtly, avoiding his gaze as she busied herself adjusting her cloak.
Kenshin chuckled under his breath, amused by her reaction. It was unlike her to get so embarrassed, but he found it endearing. Without commenting further, he got up, deactivated his shadow clone stationed outside, and began packing up the camp. He unsealed some food from a storage scroll, and they shared a quiet breakfast before setting off.
By late night, they reached the plains surrounding the Hidden Grass Village. The bustling village ahead wasn't just a shinobi stronghold—it was one of the Land of Grass's major commercial hubs, brimming with activity even at this hour. Kenshin and Konan changed into plain robes to blend in. Kenshin removed his Leaf headband, securing it in his pack.
As Konan removed her Akatsuki robe, Kenshin's eyes caught something new. "Did you get new piercings?" he asked, noticing the glint of metal at her navel.
Konan nodded lightly, adjusting her clothing. "Yes, recently."
Kenshin tilted his head thoughtfully. "I'm not really into piercings, but I think your older ones suited you better."
Konan glanced down at her new piercings and then shrugged. "Those were getting too old," she replied, though her voice held a faint trace of uncertainty. "But if you think these don't suit me, I could get rid of them."
Kenshin shook his head, cutting her off. "It's your choice. You'll look good either way."
Konan paused for a moment, surprised at the genuine warmth in his words, but before she could respond, Kenshin clasped his hands together and performed a series of hand seals. "Summoning Jutsu."
With a puff of smoke, Kaede and Kira appeared. Kenshin had already contacted them telepathically to prepare for the mission.
Konan blinked in surprise, not because of the summoning jutsu itself—she expected nothing less from a high-level shinobi—but because of the two summoned figures. Both were humanoid women with feline features, including cat-like ears, tails, and piercing eyes.
Kira's gaze narrowed slightly upon seeing Konan, her expression unreadable, though there was an air of suspicion about her. Kaede, however, had eyes only for Kenshin. Without hesitation, she threw herself at him, pressing her lips to his in an audacious display of affection.
Kenshin immediately pushed her off, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "Kaede, don't do that," he muttered, ignoring her antics entirely as he turned to Konan. "This is Kaede," he said, gesturing toward Kaede, who eyed her carefully, her expression unreadable.
"And this is Kira," he added, nodding toward Kira, who gave Konan a respectful nod. "They're my summons."
Kenshin gestured toward Konan with a subtle nod. "This is Konan. She's my mom's close friend and, well, my onee-san."
Kira tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly as she studied Konan. "But her hair is blue," she said, her voice laced with confusion. "How can she be your sister? You don't even look alike."
Kenshin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's 'like' a sister," he clarified. "She's not actually my sister, but she's really close to me and my mom. She took care of me a lot when I was younger."
Kaede crossed her arms, looking less interested in the explanation. "Great. Now that the introductions are over, when are we going to attack?"
Kenshin pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Kaede, this mission is supposed to be secretive. We can't just storm in—we need to be subtle." He turned toward both Kira and Kaede, his expression serious. "Can you both speak normally in your cat forms?"
Kira nodded. "Yes, but the volume is lower. Only one person close by can hear clearly. And it's hard to speak louder."
Kaede shrugged. "Same here. Why?"
"That's perfect," Kenshin said with a nod of approval. "I need you both to transform into your cat forms. Kira, you'll go with onee-san. Kaede, you're with me."
Kira hesitated for a moment, glancing at Konan, before giving a small nod. "Understood."
Kaede raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And what's the plan?"
Kenshin folded his arms. "Onee-san and I will gather intel using our own methods. Kira, you'll act as a bridge between the two of us through our telepathic communication. That way, we stay coordinated without raising suspicion. I'd use normal comms, but those have a limited range. But our connection doesn't."
Kaede smirked, her tail flicking behind her. "Fine. But if I fall asleep from boredom it's your fault."
Kenshin shot her a pointed look. "I'll drop you from my shoulder if you do."
With a poof of smoke, both Kira and Kaede transformed into their feline forms. Kira's fur was a shimmering white, her golden eyes sharp and observant, while Kaede's sleek black fur matched her hair, and her bright red eyes gleamed with intensity.
Kenshin crouched down, meeting Kira's now-catlike eyes. "Stay close to her. Keep me updated if anything happens."
Kira gave a quiet meow in acknowledgment, leaping gracefully onto Konan's shoulder.
Kaede, already sitting on Kenshin's shoulder, flicked her tail impatiently. "We better not waste time. Just get on with it."
Kenshin gave her a quick glance before focusing on Konan. "Keep a low profile. I'll reach out through Kira if anything changes."
Konan adjusted her robes, her calm demeanor masking the slight unease she felt. "I understand."
Without further words, they began moving in their respective directions.
Konan created paper insects that fluttered discreetly through the Hidden Grass Village, slipping through cracks in walls and hovering above conversations.
Each one served as her ears, relaying snippets of dialogue and ambient noise back to her. She remained composed, her focus unwavering as she pieced together the information.
The leader, Tetsuya, wasn't in the village. That much became evident from the hushed voices of guards stationed at his residence.
Meanwhile, Kenshin, now transformed into a small cat, prowled silently with Kaede along the shadowed streets. Spotting a guard pacing near the gates of Tetsuya's residence, he leapt onto a nearby perch, locking eyes with his target.
With the Sharingan active, the guard froze mid-step, his body slumping to the ground as Kenshin's genjutsu took hold.
Kenshin paused just outside the residence's gate, his transformed appearance as the guard blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Kira's voice echoed in his mind, accompanied by Konan's calm yet authoritative tone.
"Tetsuya isn't here," Konan's calm yet urgent tone came through, courtesy of Kira's telepathic link.
Kenshin paused, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? Where is he?"
Through Kira, Konan continued. "He's at the daimyo's palace. The villagers said he's been spending a lot of time there lately. It makes sense—he was instrumental in putting the new daimyo in power after the coup."
Kenshin blinked, the revelation throwing off his plan momentarily. "That was... quick," he admitted telepathically, genuinely impressed. "I thought you'd need more time to get detailed information like that."
The faintest smirk could be heard in Konan's voice through Kira's link. "You might be skilled, Kenshin, but you're still just a kid. I've been doing this my entire life. When it comes to espionage, I've already seen everything you're still learning."
Kenshin frowned slightly at her teasing, but her confidence gave him some reassurance. "Still, we should at least make sure the former daimyo isn't here," he insisted. "If there's any chance—"
Konan's voice cut in firmly. "I've already checked. No hidden pathways, no secured areas—they're not keeping him here. He's likely at the daimyo's palace. After a coup, if the former leader isn't killed, they're usually kept alive as a trophy for the new regime.
The new daimyo probably wants to gloat. After all, there's nothing more mortifying for a defeated person than to see their opponent celebrate in front of them."
Kenshin let out a quiet sigh, knowing she was likely right. He glanced back at Kaede, who sat silently a few feet away in her feline form, her bright red eyes alert. "Alright," he said telepathically. "We'll regroup and head to the daimyo's palace. Let me just wrap up here."
Konan's response was brisk. "Hurry. The longer we stay, the more likely someone will notice us."
With that, Kenshin deactivated the genjutsu on the unconscious guard and melted into the shadows, quickly making his way toward the rendezvous point.
By the time he arrived, Konan was already there, her paper insects fluttering back to her as she reabsorbed them. Kira leapt gracefully from her shoulder, her white fur glowing faintly under the moonlight. Kenshin shifted back to his normal self, his expression one of determination.
"Ready?" he asked.
Konan nodded, her face calm but focused. "Let's move. The palace isn't far, but we'll need to stay cautious."
Kenshin cracked his knuckles, his Sharingan flashing briefly before deactivating."Caution is my middle name."
Konan gave him a flat look. "Seriously?"
The night sky stretched endlessly as Kenshin and Konan soared toward the daimyo's palace, their forms illuminated by the moonlight. Kenshin demonstrated his Wind Chakra Mode with a confident ease, the dense, flowing layer of wind chakra surrounding him shimmering faintly. With controlled bursts from his palms and feet, he moved fluidly through the air, his speed and precision unmatched.
Konan glanced at him, her usually stoic expression softening into one of pride. She had watched him struggle with this technique for years, refining it step by step under grueling conditions. To see him now, flying so naturally, filled her with a rare sense of joy.
"You've come a long way, Kenshin," she said, her paper wings carrying her alongside him.
Kenshin smirked, adjusting his flight to match her pace. "I had a good teacher."
Kira, perched on Konan's shoulder in her cat form, meowed softly before glancing up at her. "Konan-sama," she began, her voice low enough to ensure Kenshin couldn't hear.
Konan tilted her head slightly, her paper wings fluttering as she stabilized her flight. "What is it?"
"I wanted to ask you something," Kira said, her golden-green eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Go ahead," Konan replied.
Kira hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Do you like my master?"
The question hit Konan like a physical blow. Her wings faltered briefly, causing her to drop a few feet before quickly regaining altitude. She turned her head sharply to glare at Kira.
"What gave you that idea?" she demanded, her voice a mix of irritation and nervousness.
Kira blinked innocently. "I have a special ability. I can sense emotions and feelings—energy, if you will. It's not fully blossomed yet; it will be once I turn 100 years old. But even now, I can tell. You have feelings for him."
Konan's gaze hardened, her expression unreadable. "You shouldn't assume things."
Kira shook her head. "I'm not assuming. I couldn't sense human emotions before, but after forming the contract with him, I can. And I know what I feel from you, Konan-sama."
Konan's lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced ahead, avoiding Kira's piercing gaze. "It's none of your business," she said coldly.
For a moment, there was only silence as they flew. Then, Konan sighed, her voice softer. "Don't mention this to him."
Kira tilted her head. "Why not? Keeping this from him is hurting you both. You might not realize it, but every time he looks at you, his heart aches. He's just too good at hiding it. But I can tell—because this is my ability. I don't have flashy powers like Kaede, nor am I a mutant like her. But I can at least sense these things."
Konan's expression tightened, her hands clenching at her sides. "I know," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I know all too well. I took those memories from him, Kira. I left a hole in his heart. But I can't tell him—it would only hurt him more someday."
Sensing Konan's desire to change the subject, Kira allowed the silence to linger briefly before Konan spoke again, her tone more even. "What about you? Kaede seems very fond of him. But are you? Do you like him?"
Kira chuckled, the sound light and unbothered. "If I did, I'd know. I admire him because he saved me, protected my family when we were at our weakest. I respect him deeply for that. But romantic feelings? No. My heart doesn't flutter when he talks to me or when he laughs."
Konan listened quietly, her gaze softening.
Kira continued, her voice steady. "He doesn't need that from me. What he needs is a friend, a supporter. Someone who understands him without words. I'll be that for him. I can sense his feelings even when nobody else can, so I'll be there for him when he needs me the most."
Konan smiled faintly, her usual stoicism briefly replaced with gratitude. "You're pretty wise for your age, Kira."
Kira flicked her tail, her tone playful. "I'm practically ancient compared to him, you know. And you too. I'm 98."
Konan let out a soft chuckle, her wings steadying as they neared their destination. "Well at this point, I'm not gonna be surprised if Kaede turns out to be immortal or something."
"She is." Kira answered, making Konan stare at her in surprise.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.