Konohagakure
Rei stood stiffly in Sakumo's office, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the mission scroll sitting on the desk between them. The faint scent of parchment and ink mixed with the air of quiet authority Sakumo always carried, but Rei wasn't focused on any of that. Instead, her attention was locked on the words Sakumo had just uttered, words that made her stomach churn with irritation.
"You'll be working with Kakashi on this mission," Sakumo said, his calm voice as steady as ever. He spoke as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell. "It's a straightforward C-rank assignment. I trust the two of you can handle it together."
Rei's jaw tightened. Of course, he was trying to make this seem like no big deal, but to her, it felt like an insult. She shifted her weight, glancing sideways at Kakashi, who was standing to her left, his expression as unreadable as ever. Arms crossed, mask firmly in place, and no visible reaction to the announcement—just like always.
"Sakumo-san," Rei began, keeping her voice steady despite the frustration bubbling in her chest, "with all due respect, why are you pairing me with him alone?"
Kakashi's gaze flickered toward her briefly, but he said nothing, standing as still as a statue.
Sakumo, however, raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor never faltering. "Because I believe it's important for both of you to work together. You're both skilled, but you have... different approaches. This mission will be a good opportunity to complement each other's strengths."
Rei resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Complement each other's strengths? Was this some kind of lesson? She felt like a child being scolded for not playing nicely with the other kids. "I don't think—"
"I do," Sakumo interrupted gently but firmly, cutting her off. "You're both capable shinobi, but teamwork is crucial, especially in situations like this one."
Kakashi's voice, low and clipped, finally broke through the tension. "We should focus on the mission details, not who's assigned to it." He spoke with the quiet authority that always got under Rei's skin, as if he was subtly reminding her that he outranked her in skill and experience, even though they were the same age.
Rei shot him a glare before reluctantly turning her focus back to Sakumo, her frustration simmering just below the surface. "Fine," she muttered, her tone tight. "What's the mission?"
Sakumo didn't seem fazed by her defiance. If anything, his expression softened slightly, which only made her feel more irritated. Pulling the mission scroll closer, he unrolled it and summarized the details.
"A merchant named Shinji, who was previously under Konoha's employment, has stolen sensitive blueprints for battle supplies and fled toward the border near Iwagakure," Sakumo explained. "Your mission is to track him down, retrieve the blueprints, and bring him back to Konoha alive. Understood?"
Rei frowned. "Why alive? Wouldn't it be easier to just—"
"No," Sakumo said sharply, his calm voice taking on a rare edge. "Killing him would be counterproductive. Shinji may have information about others involved in this theft. We need him for interrogation. This is still a C-rank mission—not an assassination."
Rei bit back her retort, glancing at Kakashi again. Predictably, he stood there silently, absorbing the information without question. Of course, he didn't have any objections—loyal dog of Konoha, she thought bitterly.
Sakumo continued, his tone softening once more. "This mission is important, but it should be manageable given your skill levels. Be cautious near the border—it's risky territory, and we can't afford unnecessary conflict with Iwagakure."
Rei nodded stiffly, her resentment still lingering as she accepted the scroll. "Understood."
Kakashi gave a curt nod as well. "We'll complete the mission."
Sakumo's gaze lingered on them both for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I trust you will," he said finally. Then, he added in a quieter tone, "Remember, this mission is about more than just the objective. Learn to rely on each other out there."
Rei's fingers tightened around the scroll, irritation flaring again. She didn't need to "learn" to rely on Kakashi, and she didn't want him relying on her either. But she bit her tongue and didn't respond, instead spinning on her heel and heading for the door before she said something she'd regret.
The sun hung low in the sky as they made their way out of Konoha, the gates fading into the distance behind them. The silence between them was thick and suffocating, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps on the dirt path.
Rei glanced at Kakashi out of the corner of her eye, his figure stiff and precise, moving as if every step was calculated. His expression—or at least what she could see of it—was as unreadable as ever, his eyes scanning their surroundings with a meticulousness that grated on her nerves.
"Are you always this dull to travel with?" she said finally, unable to stand the silence any longer.
Kakashi didn't even glance at her. "Focus on the mission," he replied curtly.
Rei rolled her eyes. "Oh, right. Because talking is such a huge distraction."
He ignored her, pulling out a map and studying it as they walked. His ability to brush off everything she said only made her irritation grow. After a few more minutes of silence, Rei's patience snapped. "You're wasting time," she said, her tone sharp. "It's a simple trail. Why do you need a map? He's one guy—we can catch up to him if we just move faster."
Kakashi didn't look up, his tone as calm and cool as ever. "Rushing in without a plan is how missions fail." He glanced at her then, his gaze pointed. "Or would you rather walk straight into an ambush?"
Rei bristled. "He's not a shinobi, Kakashi. He's a merchant. An ambush? Really? Not everything has to be overcomplicated."
Kakashi closed the map with deliberate precision, sliding it back into his pouch. "And not everything is as simple as you want it to be. You're reckless."
"And you're a coward," Rei shot back instantly, her voice dripping with venom.
For the first time, Kakashi's body stiffened slightly, the insult clearly hitting a nerve. But instead of snapping back, he simply turned and continued walking. "We'll do this my way unless you want to get us killed," he said over his shoulder, his tone colder than before.
Rei clenched her fists but bit back her retort, glaring at his back as she followed. The tension between them was already impossible to ignore, and they hadn't even reached the border yet.
The journey dragged on, every step weighed down by the suffocating tension between them. Kakashi remained the picture of precision, pausing often to examine tracks, check his map, or analyze the surrounding terrain. He crouched low at one point, inspecting faint footprints left behind in the dirt, brushing over them with gloved fingers as though memorizing every detail.
Rei, however, stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly as her patience reached its breaking point. The slow pace was maddening. She shifted her weight, letting out an audible sigh, but Kakashi didn't so much as glance up.
"You're wasting time again," Rei snapped, her voice sharp.
Kakashi ignored her completely, continuing his examination.
"Seriously?" Rei muttered, stepping closer. "Shinji's probably halfway to Iwa by now. How long are you planning to babysit this trail?"
Kakashi finally stood, brushing off his gloves as he turned to look at her. His eyes were cool and detached, but there was a hint of irritation in his tone when he spoke. "This trail splits ahead. If we pick the wrong path, we'll lose him entirely."
Rei threw up her hands. "He's a merchant, not some ANBU operative. It's not that complicated!"
"He's desperate," Kakashi replied calmly. "Desperate people make reckless decisions. If you'd stop rushing for once, you'd—"
"For once!?" Rei cut him off, stepping closer. "You think I'm reckless? What about you? You're so obsessed with your stupid rules that you can't even think for yourself!"
Kakashi's gaze hardened, his usual calm giving way to something sharper, more hostile. "I think for myself just fine," he said coldly. "You, on the other hand, act without thinking and call it bravery. That's why missions go wrong—you don't consider the consequences of your actions."
Rei opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of distant voices caught her attention. She froze, turning toward the noise, her frustration momentarily forgotten. A faint murmur drifted through the trees, carried by the wind.
Kakashi noticed it too, his head tilting slightly as he listened. His posture shifted, his body tensing as he scanned their surroundings with deliberate focus.
"It's coming from the west," he murmured.
Rei narrowed her eyes in the same direction, her senses sharpening. The voices weren't loud, but they were distinct enough to pick up fragments of conversation.
"Could be Shinji," she said quickly.
Kakashi shook his head. "No. He's moving south. This is something else."
Rei ignored him, starting forward toward the west.
Every instinct in her told her this was worth investigating, even if Kakashi disagreed.
"Rei," Kakashi called sharply, his voice low but firm. "We're sticking to the trail. Don't wander off."
She paused briefly but didn't look back. "You keep wasting time, Kakashi. I'll check this out myself."
"Don't be an idiot," Kakashi snapped, his tone growing harsher.
But Rei didn't stop. Instead, she quickened her pace, slipping through the trees and leaving Kakashi behind.
Rei's movements were quick but quiet, her frustration fueling her determination as she followed the sound of the voices. She couldn't explain why, but something about them tugged at her curiosity. If Kakashi wasn't going to act, she would.
As she moved deeper into the forest, the voices grew clearer. She slowed her pace, crouching low behind a thicket as she caught sight of a small clearing up ahead.
A group of shinobi rested near a fire, their silhouettes illuminated by the flickering flames. Their uniforms were unmistakable—the sigils marking them as Iwagakure shinobi reflected faintly in the light.
Rei's breath hitched. She hadn't realized how far she'd strayed, but the truth sank in instantly. She'd crossed the border into Iwagakure territory.
She started to back away, her mind calculating the safest route to retreat, but her foot snagged on a root. Cursing under her breath, she steadied herself quickly—but the shinobi had already noticed the movement.
Two of them stood abruptly, their attention snapping toward her hiding spot.
"Who's there?" one barked, his voice sharp.
Rei froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She debated bolting—but before she could act, one of the shinobi's eyes widened in recognition.
"It's her," he murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Rei's stomach twisted. Her?
Before she could react, the second shinobi stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he scrutinized her. "They let you live?" he asked, his tone incredulous.
Rei stood slowly, her kunai drawn defensively as she glared at them both. "What are you talking about?"
The first shinobi, an older man with striking silver hair, took another step forward, his expression softening slightly. "You're an Arakawa," he said quietly.
The words made Rei's blood run cold. "How do you know that?"
He exchanged a glance with the others, their expressions a mixture of pity and anger. "Because we are Arakawa too."
The world seemed to tilt beneath Rei's feet. She stared at the two shinobi, their words ringing in her ears. We are Arakawa too.
Her grip on the kunai tightened instinctively, her mind racing to connect the fragments of information. Their faces, now that she truly looked, stirred a flicker of recognition deep in her memory. She had seen them before—during the mission that resulted in restrictions and supervision. Now that she was able to see their faces clearly, a memory awoke from the back of her mind.
The pictures from her parent's study.
They aged to grown shinobi, their once carefree smiles hardened to solemn scowls.
"You..." Rei's voice was unsteady, her throat dry. "You defected."
The older man nodded slowly, his expression solemn. "Koji Arakawa," he said, his voice quieter now, tinged with something like regret. "And this is Mayu." He motioned toward the other shinobi, a woman standing behind him with scars cutting jagged lines across her face.
"You shouldn't be here," Mayu said sharply, though her tone lacked hostility. If anything, her voice was weighed down by something far heavier—pity. "If they find you near the border, they'll kill you. The Arakawa name isn't enough to protect you anymore."
Rei straightened her back, forcing herself to hold their gaze. "I can protect myself," she snapped, though the words sounded hollow even to her. Her heart was pounding, but she refused to let it show. "You're the ones who betrayed the village. Why should I trust anything you say?"
Mayu let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Betrayed the village? Is that what they told you? That we turned our backs on Konoha out of greed or cowardice?" Her hand rose to gesture at the deep scars slashing from her shoulder down to her elbow. "These scars weren't from the enemy, girl. They're from the village you're so desperate to defend."
Koji held up a hand, silencing Mayu before she could say more. His gaze remained locked on Rei, calm but piercing. "We didn't come here to argue. But you should know the truth, if you don't already."
Rei hesitated, her instincts warring with her curiosity. She wanted to brush them off, to reject anything they had to say—but something about their expressions made her pause. This wasn't manipulation or deception. It wasn't the cunning gaze of an enemy trying to exploit her. It was raw, unfiltered pain.
Koji took her silence as permission to continue. "The Arakawa were once one of Konoha's strongest clans. Our tactics and kenjutsu brought victory after victory during the Second Shinobi War—so much so that the clan's name became synonymous with strength." He paused, his jaw tightening. "But Konoha didn't see us as people. They saw us as tools."
Mayu stepped forward, her gaze steady but burning with emotion. "When I was a child, they carved these scars into me to test my endurance. They called it 'enhancement training.' We were pushed beyond our limits, subjected to experiments to see how far our lack of pain could reach, how much further the body could be pushed before it broke completely." She lifted her arm slightly, showing Rei the full extent of the damage—twisted, uneven patches of skin that told a story far darker than words ever could.
Rei's breath caught, her grip on her kunai loosening slightly. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt too tight.
Koji continued, his voice softer now. "We were sent on missions no one else would take. Over and over again, Arakawa shinobi were thrown into battles designed to kill us—all for Konoha's strategy," he said bitterly. "When we began to realize the truth, some of us tried to leave, to protect what little remained of our families. But Konoha branded us traitors for it."
"That's not true," Rei whispered, though her voice wavered with uncertainty. "Konoha doesn't... They wouldn't..."
Koji's expression softened slightly, as though he could see the cracks forming in her defenses. "You think Konoha sees you differently because you're still alive? Because you've managed to survive this long without being discarded?" He shook his head slowly. "We thought the same once. We believed loyalty to the village would protect us. But in the end, Konoha expects one thing from the Arakawa—obedience until death."
Rei's body felt like it wasn't her own. She wanted to argue, to snap back with something fierce and cutting, but her thoughts were too scattered. It wasn't just their words—it was the way they spoke, the raw truth behind their voices that made her chest tighten. These weren't enemy shinobi trying to manipulate her. They were survivors, living proof of the horrors they claimed.
"Why would they do that?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mayu's expression hardened. "Because we were strong. Stronger than most. And in Konoha, strength isn't a gift. It's a tool. A resource to be used—and thrown away."
Rei was shaking now, though she refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she forced herself to speak, her voice sharper this time. "If that's true, then why didn't you stay and fight? Why did you run to Iwagakure of all places?"
Koji's eyes darkened. "Because there was nothing left to fight for." He exhaled slowly, as though the weight of the past still pressed down on him. "The ones who defected saw no future for the Arakawa in Konoha. Here, at least, we're treated as people, not weapons."
Mayu stepped closer, her tone gentler now. "You don't have to believe us, Rei. But ask yourself—why do you think your clan no longer stands beside you? Why do you think Konoha lets you carry the name while all the others have been erased? You're walking a path paved by their sacrifices. Sooner or later, you'll have to decide whether you're walking it for yourself—or for them."
Rei felt like the air had been knocked out of her chest. Her mind swirled with memories she couldn't fully piece together—images of faces she'd seen in old photographs, names she'd read in the scrolls tucked away in her family's study. Koji and Mayu had been familiar to her even before today, their younger faces etched into the pages of the Arakawa clan's history. She had spent hours staring at those scrolls, poring over the scraps of her clan's past in quiet curiosity, wondering what had happened to the names that no one spoke of anymore.
Her parents had never told her much. Aiko and Yusuke had buried the clan's stories deep, shielding her from the horrors they'd endured. Growing up, the study had always been off-limits, its doors kept shut as though it held secrets not meant for her. She'd never questioned it—she'd grown used to the silence, the lack of answers when she asked about the clan's history.
It wasn't until Kakashi had forced her to confront her weaknesses during training that she'd stepped foot inside. She'd been desperate to improve, to prove him wrong, and he'd coldly suggested she look into her family's history for inspiration. It had been his way of telling her to take responsibility, to use the resources available to her instead of wasting time.
The scrolls, photographs, and records inside had been overwhelming at first—an entire history hidden from her. She'd spent hours poring over them, examining the faces and names she'd never known but somehow felt connected to.
Her parents had wanted to protect her, but the study had given her glimpses of a truth far darker than what they'd kept from her. She'd learned to read between the lines of the clan's history—a history she once thought was glorious but was now starting to feel like a carefully hidden tragedy.
Now, standing here, face-to-face with Koji and Mayu, those fragments were falling into place faster than her mind could process. The puzzle she'd been piecing together in the study was complete, and the truth it revealed left her hollow.
But before she could respond, a hand clamped down on her shoulder, yanking her backward.
"Have you lost your mind?" Kakashi's voice cut through the haze, sharp and furious.
Rei whirled around to see him glaring at her, his grip on her shoulder firm. "You crossed the border into enemy territory," he hissed. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You could've started a war!"
The Iwa shinobi remained where they were, watching the scene unfold with unreadable expressions. Koji's gaze lingered on Rei, his voice calm despite the tension in the air. "The truth will find you eventually, Arakawa," he said as Kakashi began dragging her away. "No matter how far you run from it."
Rei jerked against Kakashi's grip, but he held fast, pulling her back toward Konoha's side of the border. Her heart was pounding, her mind reeling with everything she'd just heard. But more than anything, she felt the weight of their gazes—the pity in their eyes as they watched her retreat.
And it burned.
Rei stumbled as Kakashi dragged her further from the border, his grip still firm on her arm. She gritted her teeth and yanked herself free, planting her feet firmly on the ground. "Let go of me!" she snapped, glaring at him.
Kakashi spun around to face her, his expression livid. "Let go of you? Are you insane, Rei?!" His voice, normally so calm and measured, was sharp with anger. "Do you have any idea what you just did? You crossed into enemy territory! Do you even think before you act?"
Rei's chest tightened as the weight of what had just happened hit her. But she wasn't about to let Kakashi steamroll her. "I wasn't going to stay there!" she shot back. "I was just—"
"Just what?" Kakashi cut her off, stepping closer. "Risking the mission? Risking starting a war? Because that's exactly what could've happened if they'd decided to attack you!" His voice rose with every word, his eyes blazing. "Do you think this is a game? You don't get to play the hero, Rei. This isn't one of your reckless stunts back home!"
Rei flinched at his tone but quickly hardened her expression. "I didn't ask for your input, Kakashi. I can handle myself."
Kakashi's laugh was humorless and harsh. "Handle yourself?!" He gestured toward the border they had just crossed. "You couldn't handle staying on the right side of the border, let alone the consequences if something went wrong! What were you even doing over there?"
"I found the truth," Rei spat, her anger flaring again. "Something you wouldn't understand because all you do is follow orders like a mindless drone."
That made Kakashi freeze for a moment, his eye narrowing. "What are you talking about?"
"The Arakawa clan," Rei began, her voice trembling with rage and emotion. She could feel the words bubbling up, sharp and bitter, before she could stop them. "They weren't just warriors. They were used, Kakashi. Konoha threw them away—treated them like tools. Koji and Mayu—" She hesitated, her voice catching as she remembered the scars and the pain in Mayu's voice. "They didn't defect because they were traitors. They left because they had no choice. Because Konoha—your Konoha—betrayed them."
Kakashi stiffened, his gaze hardening further. "You're taking the word of traitors now? The Iwa shinobi who attacked our people? You're just going to believe whatever they said?"
"They didn't attack me!" Rei snapped, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "They could've, but they didn't. They told me the truth, and I believe them."
"That's your problem!" Kakashi fired back. "You're reckless, naive, and too eager to believe whatever suits you! Just because you want it to be true doesn't make it the truth, Rei. If you'd stop acting like you know everything, maybe you'd understand what's at stake."
Her fists clenched at her sides as the words hit her like a blow. "You think I don't understand what's at stake? My clan is gone, Kakashi. My parents have been trying to protect me from the truth my whole life, but I finally see it now. Konoha used them up and discarded them like garbage. They don't care about the Arakawa, and they don't care about me."
Kakashi's eye widened briefly at her words, but his expression quickly steeled again. "You think you're the only one?" he said, his voice low but cutting. "You think you're the only person in this village who's lost something? Who's had to make hard choices? Your clan isn't the only one that's suffered. You're not special, Rei."
His words stung, but Rei refused to back down. "At least I'm not lying to myself! You walk around acting like your precious rules and orders are all that matter, but they don't care about you either, Kakashi! You're just another puppet for the system, too afraid to question anything."
Kakashi's eyes burned with fury, the harsh words hitting a nerve he didn't want to acknowledge. For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out, but he forced himself to take a step back instead, his voice dropping to an icy calm. "And that's why no one trusts you, Rei," he said quietly. "You think the rules don't apply to you. You think you're better than everyone else because you're always so quick to act. But you're just reckless. And one day, it's going to get someone killed."
Rei felt the blood drain from her face at his words, the accusation cutting deeper than she'd anticipated. She opened her mouth to fire back, but no words came. For a brief moment, the air between them was silent, heavy with everything they weren't saying.
Then Rei exhaled sharply and turned away. "I'm done with this conversation," she said flatly, her voice trembling slightly. "Let's just finish the mission."
Kakashi didn't respond immediately. He stood there for a few moments, his gaze lingering on her back, his posture as tense as a coiled spring.
Finally, he turned away as well. "Fine," he said coldly, without looking at her. "Let's go."
The tension hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around them as they trudged forward along the narrow dirt trail. Kakashi walked ahead, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the tracks Shinji had left behind. Every movement was sharp and deliberate, his focus entirely on the mission now, as though trying to erase the argument from his mind.
Rei followed several paces behind. She didn't care about following his lead, but the path was too narrow to walk beside him without brushing against his shoulder—and she didn't want to be near him. Her fists clenched and unclenched as she walked, the anger still simmering in her chest, mixing with the helpless frustration she couldn't quite shake.
She kept her eyes trained ahead, refusing to let Kakashi's silence draw her attention. But it was impossible to ignore. His lack of words wasn't calming—it was suffocating. Rei wasn't sure if she preferred the cold insults or this aching quiet, but both felt unbearable.
The trees around them grew denser, the trail winding sharply through the thickening forest. The gradual hum of birds and distant rustling in the bushes made Rei uneasy, though she didn't say anything. Kakashi moved with precision, crouching occasionally to examine the tracks, sometimes pausing entirely to scan their surroundings.
At one point, Rei let out a frustrated sigh—louder than she intended—but Kakashi didn't even turn his head. His restraint only irritated her more. She wanted to shout at him, to demand he say something, but she held herself back. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his silence bothered her.
Instead, she focused on the footprints they were following. Shinji's trail had veered off the main path long ago, weaving erratically through the forest. He wasn't moving with the skill of a shinobi, but his desperation was evident in every scuffed mark on the ground.
Rei's gaze shifted toward Kakashi as he crouched again, his fingers brushing over a broken branch. He tilted his head slightly, as though processing something.
"What is it now?" she asked, her irritation bleeding into her voice.
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He rose slowly, his hand brushing against the pouch at his side before he turned to her with his usual detached expression. "The tracks are getting fresher." His tone was sharp, clipped, and devoid of the fury from earlier. It was colder now—mechanical, like he was addressing a stranger.
Rei frowned but didn't respond, stepping around him to inspect the tracks herself. She crouched low, her fingers grazing the disturbed dirt. Kakashi wasn't wrong—the footprints were deeper and clearer here, as though Shinji had only just passed through.
"We're close," she muttered, standing again and brushing her hands against her pants.
Kakashi gave a curt nod. "Stay focused."
Rei's jaw tightened. She wanted to snap at him, but she bit her tongue. This wasn't the time to continue their argument. Not yet.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the tension between them remained thick, but the signs of Shinji's movements grew more frequent. Each new marker—scratched bark, disturbed foliage, faint prints on the dusty trail—was a reminder that their mission was nearing its conclusion.
But despite their progress, Rei's frustration mounted with every passing hour. Kakashi continued to lead without a word, his focus entirely on the tracks, his precision unshakable. Normally, she'd respect his skill; he was good at this—better than her, even. But the air between them was too hostile, too heavy for her to give him any credit.
She darted ahead at one point, her impatience getting the better of her. While Kakashi stopped to examine a faint print on the ground, Rei scanned the area, her sharp eyes catching glimpses of disturbed grass further ahead. "He went that way," she called over her shoulder, already moving toward the faint trail.
Kakashi's voice followed her, its usual calm replaced with quiet steel. "Stop rushing ahead. We need to be cautious."
Rei stopped mid-step, spinning around with her hands on her hips. "Cautious? He's just a merchant, Kakashi! He's not going to pull out some hidden jutsu and ambush us." Her tone was biting, her patience worn thin.
Kakashi stared at her, his eye narrowing slightly. "Desperation makes people dangerous, Rei. You're not thinking clearly."
She rolled her eyes, throwing up her hands. "Right, because you're the expert! What would I do without your infinite wisdom?" she snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
But before Kakashi could respond, a faint sound reached both their ears—a branch snapping in the distance, followed by hurried footsteps. They froze immediately, their bodies tensing instinctively.
Kakashi's hand moved to his kunai pouch as his gaze shifted sharply toward the noise. "He's close," he murmured, his voice dropping low.
Rei nodded but didn't speak, her anger momentarily forgotten as her senses sharpened. She followed Kakashi's lead this time, her movements quieter as she stepped cautiously toward the direction of the sound.
The trail led them to a clearing—a small, open space surrounded by tall trees. In the center of it, Shinji stood, clutching a leather satchel to his chest as he scanned the area nervously. His clothes were torn, his face pale with exhaustion, but the wild look in his eyes told them everything they needed to know. He was desperate, terrified, and cornered.
Rei's grip tightened around her own kunai, her focus locking on their target. Kakashi, standing slightly ahead of her, stepped forward carefully, his voice calm and commanding as he spoke. "Shinji," he said evenly. "Don't run. You won't get far."
Shinji's head snapped toward them, his body flinching as his grip on the satchel tightened. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice trembling. "I won't let you take me!"
Rei narrowed her eyes, her stance shifting slightly as she prepared to move. Kakashi's arm extended slightly in front of her, a silent signal to hold back. She bristled but obeyed, watching carefully as Kakashi continued speaking.
"We don't want to hurt you," he said, his voice steady. "But we need those blueprints—and you need to come back with us. Alive."
Shinji's breathing quickened, his eyes darting between them and the treeline behind him. It was clear he was weighing his options, calculating the odds of running. But before he could act, Rei stepped forward, her kunai gleaming faintly in the light.
"Stop wasting time," she said coldly, her voice cutting through the air. "You don't have anywhere to go, Shinji. Just surrender already."
Shinji flinched, his desperation breaking through as he turned sharply and bolted toward the trees. Rei cursed under her breath and shot forward, Kakashi close behind her as they pursued.
Shinji's panicked footsteps crashed through the underbrush, his speed fueled by desperation. Rei darted after him, her movements quick and agile, closing the distance between them with ease. She wasn't about to let him slip away—not after everything they'd been through to catch him.
Kakashi followed close behind, his movements deliberate and precise. He wasn't moving as recklessly as Rei, but even at her faster pace, he managed to match her stride.
Rei glanced over her shoulder briefly, her annoyance brimming as she caught sight of him keeping up. Of course he has to stay right on my heels, she thought bitterly. But she didn't have time to dwell on it. Her focus snapped back to Shinji, who was weaving erratically through the trees, occasionally glancing back at them with wide, frantic eyes.
"Stop running!" Rei shouted, her voice cutting through the crashing of branches. "You're only making this harder for yourself!"
Shinji didn't respond, his grip tightening on the satchel as he pushed forward, his movements growing sloppier with exhaustion.
"Rei!" Kakashi barked from behind her. "Don't rush ahead!"
Rei rolled her eyes but didn't slow down. "I've got this!" she snapped back. "He's already cornered!"
But Kakashi wasn't convinced. His eyes darted toward their surroundings, scanning for any signs of danger. The forest was dense, the trees towering over them like silent sentinels, and the shadows cast by the late afternoon sun concealed much of the terrain. It was the perfect environment for an ambush—something Kakashi wasn't willing to overlook.
Rei ignored him entirely, breaking into a sprint as she gained ground on Shinji. The merchant stumbled suddenly, his foot catching on a tree root, and Rei lunged forward, her kunai drawn as she reached for his shoulder.
But before she could grab him, Shinji twisted sharply, swinging the satchel toward her with surprising force. Rei ducked instinctively, the weight of the bag narrowly missing her as she rolled to the side, coming up with her kunai poised.
Kakashi was there in an instant, his movements swift and calculated. He appeared behind Shinji, his own kunai gleaming as he held it close to the merchant's throat.
"Enough," Kakashi said coldly, his voice steady despite the tension lingering from their earlier argument. "It's over."
Shinji froze, his body trembling as the reality of his situation sank in. The panic in his eyes burned bright, but he didn't move, his breath coming in heavy gasps.
Rei straightened, brushing dirt off her clothes as she glared at Shinji. "You're not getting away," she hissed, stepping closer to loom over him. "Hand over the satchel."
Shinji hesitated, his grip tightening instinctively, but Kakashi pressed his kunai closer, the cold edge brushing against his neck. "Don't make this harder than it already is," Kakashi warned, his tone sharp.
With a shaky breath, Shinji finally loosened his hold on the satchel. Rei grabbed it immediately, pulling it away from him with an annoyed grunt before stepping back to inspect the contents.
Setting the bag down, she opened it, riffling through its contents until she found the rolled blueprints tucked neatly inside. She pulled them out, her eyes scanning the parchment briefly to confirm their authenticity. The scrawled diagrams and notes were exactly what Sakumo had described.
She sighed, rolling the blueprints back up and tucking them into her own pouch. "Mission accomplished," she muttered, her tone bitter.
But Kakashi wasn't done. He turned Shinji slightly, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Why did you steal this?" he asked bluntly. "You knew you'd be caught eventually. What were you hoping to accomplish?"
Shinji's lips quivered, his exhausted gaze flickering between the two shinobi. "I—I needed the money," he stammered, his voice trembling. "They—they offered me protection if I brought them the blueprints."
Rei frowned, stepping closer. "Who's 'they'?"
"Iwa," Shinji answered quickly, his voice rising slightly in desperation. "They're preparing for something big... They said they'd give me enough to disappear if I delivered this."
Rei felt her stomach tighten, her mind snapping back to the Iwa shinobi she'd encountered earlier. Their talk of war preparations, of gathering resources—it all clicked together now.
Kakashi's expression remained impassive, but his eyes darkened slightly. "You sold out your village for money," he said quietly, his tone carrying an edge of disdain.
Shinji's shoulders slumped, his body sagging with defeat. "I didn't have a choice," he muttered weakly. "I'm just a merchant... I needed to survive."
Rei stared at him for a long moment, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface—the anger at his betrayal, at his cowardice, but mostly at the system that had created this situation in the first place.
She looked away, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself from saying anything she'd regret. "Let's just get him back to the village," she muttered finally.
Kakashi nodded curtly, his grip firm on Shinji's arm as he pulled him to his feet. "Move," he ordered.
As they began the trek back toward Konoha, the heavy silence returned, though this time it carried a different weight. Rei's thoughts churned with everything she'd learned—the truth about her clan, the betrayal of Koji and Mayu, and now the hints of war brewing on the horizon.
She glanced at Kakashi briefly, noting the stiffness in his posture, the way his focus seemed unshakable despite the lingering tension between them. Their argument wasn't forgotten, and she doubted it ever would be.
The journey back to Konoha was slower than Rei wanted. Every step seemed to drag, the weight of the argument between her and Kakashi hanging heavy in the silence. Shinji trudged between them, his head hanging low, his movements sluggish under Kakashi's firm grip.
Rei barely glanced at the merchant, her thoughts preoccupied by the swirling storm in her mind. Koji and Mayu's words lingered like echoes she couldn't escape, the scars on Mayu's back burned into her memory. The revelation about her clan had shaken something loose, something that refused to settle.
Kakashi didn't say a word—not to her, not to Shinji. He was focused, his posture stiff and his eyes forward, as though willing the mission to finish itself. Rei cast him a brief glance, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She wanted answers, wanted to confront him again, but her exhaustion weighed her down, keeping the words trapped inside her.
By the time the three of them reached Konoha's gates, the sun was low on the horizon, painting the village in muted shades of gold and pink. It was almost peaceful—almost enough to distract Rei from the gnawing tension in her chest.
They made their way to the Hokage's office, Shinji trailing behind with the same defeated slump. Sakumo greeted them with his usual calm demeanor, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group in quiet assessment. Rei straightened her back instinctively, trying to look composed despite the storm raging in her thoughts.
"Report," Sakumo said simply, his tone steady but expectant.
Kakashi stepped forward first, his voice matter-of-fact as he recounted the mission details. "We tracked Shinji near the border of Iwagakure and apprehended him before he could escape into enemy territory. He had the stolen blueprints in his possession." He nodded toward Rei briefly. "Rei secured the blueprints, and they've been returned intact."
Sakumo's gaze flickered toward Shinji, who stood miserably between them, eyes fixed on the floor. "And the merchant?"
Kakashi's expression hardened slightly. "He admitted to working with Iwagakure in exchange for protection and payment. He said they were preparing for larger plans and wanted the blueprints for war supplies."
Sakumo frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line as he absorbed the information. "I see." He folded his hands beneath his chin, his gaze settling on the merchant. "He'll be questioned for further details. This is concerning, but you've handled the mission well."
Rei opened her mouth to speak, ready to clarify the full extent of what had happened, but Kakashi interrupted her, his voice calm and unyielding. "There were no complications."
Rei blinked, his words hitting her like a shockwave.
She stared at him, her lips parting slightly as confusion washed over her. No complications? The border crossing, the encounter with Iwa shinobi—he wasn't mentioning any of it.
Sakumo nodded, seeming satisfied with the report. "Good work, both of you," he said finally. His gaze lingered briefly on Rei, his expression unreadable, before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "You're excused."
Rei hesitated, her mind reeling as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Kakashi had left out the most critical part of their mission—the part that would have undoubtedly landed her in trouble. He didn't mention her crossing the border, didn't speak a word about their confrontation with the Iwa shinobi.
Why?Konohagakure
Rei stood stiffly in Sakumo's office, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the mission scroll sitting on the desk between them. The faint scent of parchment and ink mixed with the air of quiet authority Sakumo always carried, but Rei wasn't focused on any of that. Instead, her attention was locked on the words Sakumo had just uttered, words that made her stomach churn with irritation.
"You'll be working with Kakashi on this mission," Sakumo said, his calm voice as steady as ever. He spoke as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell. "It's a straightforward C-rank assignment. I trust the two of you can handle it together."
Rei's jaw tightened. Of course, he was trying to make this seem like no big deal, but to her, it felt like an insult. She shifted her weight, glancing sideways at Kakashi, who was standing to her left, his expression as unreadable as ever. Arms crossed, mask firmly in place, and no visible reaction to the announcement—just like always.
"Sakumo-san," Rei began, keeping her voice steady despite the frustration bubbling in her chest, "with all due respect, why are you pairing me with him alone?"
Kakashi's gaze flickered toward her briefly, but he said nothing, standing as still as a statue.
Sakumo, however, raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor never faltering. "Because I believe it's important for both of you to work together. You're both skilled, but you have... different approaches. This mission will be a good opportunity to complement each other's strengths."
Rei resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Complement each other's strengths? Was this some kind of lesson? She felt like a child being scolded for not playing nicely with the other kids. "I don't think—"
"I do," Sakumo interrupted gently but firmly, cutting her off. "You're both capable shinobi, but teamwork is crucial, especially in situations like this one."
Kakashi's voice, low and clipped, finally broke through the tension. "We should focus on the mission details, not who's assigned to it." He spoke with the quiet authority that always got under Rei's skin, as if he was subtly reminding her that he outranked her in skill and experience, even though they were the same age.
Rei shot him a glare before reluctantly turning her focus back to Sakumo, her frustration simmering just below the surface. "Fine," she muttered, her tone tight. "What's the mission?"
Sakumo didn't seem fazed by her defiance. If anything, his expression softened slightly, which only made her feel more irritated. Pulling the mission scroll closer, he unrolled it and summarized the details.
"A merchant named Shinji, who was previously under Konoha's employment, has stolen sensitive blueprints for battle supplies and fled toward the border near Iwagakure," Sakumo explained. "Your mission is to track him down, retrieve the blueprints, and bring him back to Konoha alive. Understood?"
Rei frowned. "Why alive? Wouldn't it be easier to just—"
"No," Sakumo said sharply, his calm voice taking on a rare edge. "Killing him would be counterproductive. Shinji may have information about others involved in this theft. We need him for interrogation. This is still a C-rank mission—not an assassination."
Rei bit back her retort, glancing at Kakashi again. Predictably, he stood there silently, absorbing the information without question. Of course, he didn't have any objections—loyal dog of Konoha, she thought bitterly.
Sakumo continued, his tone softening once more. "This mission is important, but it should be manageable given your skill levels. Be cautious near the border—it's risky territory, and we can't afford unnecessary conflict with Iwagakure."
Rei nodded stiffly, her resentment still lingering as she accepted the scroll. "Understood."
Kakashi gave a curt nod as well. "We'll complete the mission."
Sakumo's gaze lingered on them both for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I trust you will," he said finally. Then, he added in a quieter tone, "Remember, this mission is about more than just the objective. Learn to rely on each other out there."
Rei's fingers tightened around the scroll, irritation flaring again. She didn't need to "learn" to rely on Kakashi, and she didn't want him relying on her either. But she bit her tongue and didn't respond, instead spinning on her heel and heading for the door before she said something she'd regret.
The sun hung low in the sky as they made their way out of Konoha, the gates fading into the distance behind them. The silence between them was thick and suffocating, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps on the dirt path.
Rei glanced at Kakashi out of the corner of her eye, his figure stiff and precise, moving as if every step was calculated. His expression—or at least what she could see of it—was as unreadable as ever, his eyes scanning their surroundings with a meticulousness that grated on her nerves.
"Are you always this dull to travel with?" she said finally, unable to stand the silence any longer.
Kakashi didn't even glance at her. "Focus on the mission," he replied curtly.
Rei rolled her eyes. "Oh, right. Because talking is such a huge distraction."
He ignored her, pulling out a map and studying it as they walked. His ability to brush off everything she said only made her irritation grow. After a few more minutes of silence, Rei's patience snapped. "You're wasting time," she said, her tone sharp. "It's a simple trail. Why do you need a map? He's one guy—we can catch up to him if we just move faster."
Kakashi didn't look up, his tone as calm and cool as ever. "Rushing in without a plan is how missions fail." He glanced at her then, his gaze pointed. "Or would you rather walk straight into an ambush?"
Rei bristled. "He's not a shinobi, Kakashi. He's a merchant. An ambush? Really? Not everything has to be overcomplicated."
Kakashi closed the map with deliberate precision, sliding it back into his pouch. "And not everything is as simple as you want it to be. You're reckless."
"And you're a coward," Rei shot back instantly, her voice dripping with venom.
For the first time, Kakashi's body stiffened slightly, the insult clearly hitting a nerve. But instead of snapping back, he simply turned and continued walking. "We'll do this my way unless you want to get us killed," he said over his shoulder, his tone colder than before.
Rei clenched her fists but bit back her retort, glaring at his back as she followed. The tension between them was already impossible to ignore, and they hadn't even reached the border yet.
The journey dragged on, every step weighed down by the suffocating tension between them. Kakashi remained the picture of precision, pausing often to examine tracks, check his map, or analyze the surrounding terrain. He crouched low at one point, inspecting faint footprints left behind in the dirt, brushing over them with gloved fingers as though memorizing every detail.
Rei, however, stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly as her patience reached its breaking point. The slow pace was maddening. She shifted her weight, letting out an audible sigh, but Kakashi didn't so much as glance up.
"You're wasting time again," Rei snapped, her voice sharp.
Kakashi ignored her completely, continuing his examination.
"Seriously?" Rei muttered, stepping closer. "Shinji's probably halfway to Iwa by now. How long are you planning to babysit this trail?"
Kakashi finally stood, brushing off his gloves as he turned to look at her. His eyes were cool and detached, but there was a hint of irritation in his tone when he spoke. "This trail splits ahead. If we pick the wrong path, we'll lose him entirely."
Rei threw up her hands. "He's a merchant, not some ANBU operative. It's not that complicated!"
"He's desperate," Kakashi replied calmly. "Desperate people make reckless decisions. If you'd stop rushing for once, you'd—"
"For once!?" Rei cut him off, stepping closer. "You think I'm reckless? What about you? You're so obsessed with your stupid rules that you can't even think for yourself!"
Kakashi's gaze hardened, his usual calm giving way to something sharper, more hostile. "I think for myself just fine," he said coldly. "You, on the other hand, act without thinking and call it bravery. That's why missions go wrong—you don't consider the consequences of your actions."
Rei opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of distant voices caught her attention. She froze, turning toward the noise, her frustration momentarily forgotten. A faint murmur drifted through the trees, carried by the wind.
Kakashi noticed it too, his head tilting slightly as he listened. His posture shifted, his body tensing as he scanned their surroundings with deliberate focus.
"It's coming from the west," he murmured.
Rei narrowed her eyes in the same direction, her senses sharpening. The voices weren't loud, but they were distinct enough to pick up fragments of conversation.
"Could be Shinji," she said quickly.
Kakashi shook his head. "No. He's moving south. This is something else."
Rei ignored him, starting forward toward the west.
Every instinct in her told her this was worth investigating, even if Kakashi disagreed.
"Rei," Kakashi called sharply, his voice low but firm. "We're sticking to the trail. Don't wander off."
She paused briefly but didn't look back. "You keep wasting time, Kakashi. I'll check this out myself."
"Don't be an idiot," Kakashi snapped, his tone growing harsher.
But Rei didn't stop. Instead, she quickened her pace, slipping through the trees and leaving Kakashi behind.
Rei's movements were quick but quiet, her frustration fueling her determination as she followed the sound of the voices. She couldn't explain why, but something about them tugged at her curiosity. If Kakashi wasn't going to act, she would.
As she moved deeper into the forest, the voices grew clearer. She slowed her pace, crouching low behind a thicket as she caught sight of a small clearing up ahead.
A group of shinobi rested near a fire, their silhouettes illuminated by the flickering flames. Their uniforms were unmistakable—the sigils marking them as Iwagakure shinobi reflected faintly in the light.
Rei's breath hitched. She hadn't realized how far she'd strayed, but the truth sank in instantly. She'd crossed the border into Iwagakure territory.
She started to back away, her mind calculating the safest route to retreat, but her foot snagged on a root. Cursing under her breath, she steadied herself quickly—but the shinobi had already noticed the movement.
Two of them stood abruptly, their attention snapping toward her hiding spot.
"Who's there?" one barked, his voice sharp.
Rei froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She debated bolting—but before she could act, one of the shinobi's eyes widened in recognition.
"It's her," he murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Rei's stomach twisted. Her?
Before she could react, the second shinobi stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he scrutinized her. "They let you live?" he asked, his tone incredulous.
Rei stood slowly, her kunai drawn defensively as she glared at them both. "What are you talking about?"
The first shinobi, an older man with striking silver hair, took another step forward, his expression softening slightly. "You're an Arakawa," he said quietly.
The words made Rei's blood run cold. "How do you know that?"
He exchanged a glance with the others, their expressions a mixture of pity and anger. "Because we are Arakawa too."
The world seemed to tilt beneath Rei's feet. She stared at the two shinobi, their words ringing in her ears. We are Arakawa too.
Her grip on the kunai tightened instinctively, her mind racing to connect the fragments of information. Their faces, now that she truly looked, stirred a flicker of recognition deep in her memory. She had seen them before—during the mission that resulted in restrictions and supervision. Now that she was able to see their faces clearly, a memory awoke from the back of her mind.
The pictures from her parent's study.
They aged to grown shinobi, their once carefree smiles hardened to solemn scowls.
"You..." Rei's voice was unsteady, her throat dry. "You defected."
The older man nodded slowly, his expression solemn. "Koji Arakawa," he said, his voice quieter now, tinged with something like regret. "And this is Mayu." He motioned toward the other shinobi, a woman standing behind him with scars cutting jagged lines across her face.
"You shouldn't be here," Mayu said sharply, though her tone lacked hostility. If anything, her voice was weighed down by something far heavier—pity. "If they find you near the border, they'll kill you. The Arakawa name isn't enough to protect you anymore."
Rei straightened her back, forcing herself to hold their gaze. "I can protect myself," she snapped, though the words sounded hollow even to her. Her heart was pounding, but she refused to let it show. "You're the ones who betrayed the village. Why should I trust anything you say?"
Mayu let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Betrayed the village? Is that what they told you? That we turned our backs on Konoha out of greed or cowardice?" Her hand rose to gesture at the deep scars slashing from her shoulder down to her elbow. "These scars weren't from the enemy, girl. They're from the village you're so desperate to defend."
Koji held up a hand, silencing Mayu before she could say more. His gaze remained locked on Rei, calm but piercing. "We didn't come here to argue. But you should know the truth, if you don't already."
Rei hesitated, her instincts warring with her curiosity. She wanted to brush them off, to reject anything they had to say—but something about their expressions made her pause. This wasn't manipulation or deception. It wasn't the cunning gaze of an enemy trying to exploit her. It was raw, unfiltered pain.
Koji took her silence as permission to continue. "The Arakawa were once one of Konoha's strongest clans. Our tactics and kenjutsu brought victory after victory during the Second Shinobi War—so much so that the clan's name became synonymous with strength." He paused, his jaw tightening. "But Konoha didn't see us as people. They saw us as tools."
Mayu stepped forward, her gaze steady but burning with emotion. "When I was a child, they carved these scars into me to test my endurance. They called it 'enhancement training.' We were pushed beyond our limits, subjected to experiments to see how far our lack of pain could reach, how much further the body could be pushed before it broke completely." She lifted her arm slightly, showing Rei the full extent of the damage—twisted, uneven patches of skin that told a story far darker than words ever could.
Rei's breath caught, her grip on her kunai loosening slightly. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt too tight.
Koji continued, his voice softer now. "We were sent on missions no one else would take. Over and over again, Arakawa shinobi were thrown into battles designed to kill us—all for Konoha's strategy," he said bitterly. "When we began to realize the truth, some of us tried to leave, to protect what little remained of our families. But Konoha branded us traitors for it."
"That's not true," Rei whispered, though her voice wavered with uncertainty. "Konoha doesn't... They wouldn't..."
Koji's expression softened slightly, as though he could see the cracks forming in her defenses. "You think Konoha sees you differently because you're still alive? Because you've managed to survive this long without being discarded?" He shook his head slowly. "We thought the same once. We believed loyalty to the village would protect us. But in the end, Konoha expects one thing from the Arakawa—obedience until death."
Rei's body felt like it wasn't her own. She wanted to argue, to snap back with something fierce and cutting, but her thoughts were too scattered. It wasn't just their words—it was the way they spoke, the raw truth behind their voices that made her chest tighten. These weren't enemy shinobi trying to manipulate her. They were survivors, living proof of the horrors they claimed.
"Why would they do that?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mayu's expression hardened. "Because we were strong. Stronger than most. And in Konoha, strength isn't a gift. It's a tool. A resource to be used—and thrown away."
Rei was shaking now, though she refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she forced herself to speak, her voice sharper this time. "If that's true, then why didn't you stay and fight? Why did you run to Iwagakure of all places?"
Koji's eyes darkened. "Because there was nothing left to fight for." He exhaled slowly, as though the weight of the past still pressed down on him. "The ones who defected saw no future for the Arakawa in Konoha. Here, at least, we're treated as people, not weapons."
Mayu stepped closer, her tone gentler now. "You don't have to believe us, Rei. But ask yourself—why do you think your clan no longer stands beside you? Why do you think Konoha lets you carry the name while all the others have been erased? You're walking a path paved by their sacrifices. Sooner or later, you'll have to decide whether you're walking it for yourself—or for them."
Rei felt like the air had been knocked out of her chest. Her mind swirled with memories she couldn't fully piece together—images of faces she'd seen in old photographs, names she'd read in the scrolls tucked away in her family's study. Koji and Mayu had been familiar to her even before today, their younger faces etched into the pages of the Arakawa clan's history. She had spent hours staring at those scrolls, poring over the scraps of her clan's past in quiet curiosity, wondering what had happened to the names that no one spoke of anymore.
Her parents had never told her much. Aiko and Yusuke had buried the clan's stories deep, shielding her from the horrors they'd endured. Growing up, the study had always been off-limits, its doors kept shut as though it held secrets not meant for her. She'd never questioned it—she'd grown used to the silence, the lack of answers when she asked about the clan's history.
It wasn't until Kakashi had forced her to confront her weaknesses during training that she'd stepped foot inside. She'd been desperate to improve, to prove him wrong, and he'd coldly suggested she look into her family's history for inspiration. It had been his way of telling her to take responsibility, to use the resources available to her instead of wasting time.
The scrolls, photographs, and records inside had been overwhelming at first—an entire history hidden from her. She'd spent hours poring over them, examining the faces and names she'd never known but somehow felt connected to.
Her parents had wanted to protect her, but the study had given her glimpses of a truth far darker than what they'd kept from her. She'd learned to read between the lines of the clan's history—a history she once thought was glorious but was now starting to feel like a carefully hidden tragedy.
Now, standing here, face-to-face with Koji and Mayu, those fragments were falling into place faster than her mind could process. The puzzle she'd been piecing together in the study was complete, and the truth it revealed left her hollow.
But before she could respond, a hand clamped down on her shoulder, yanking her backward.
"Have you lost your mind?" Kakashi's voice cut through the haze, sharp and furious.
Rei whirled around to see him glaring at her, his grip on her shoulder firm. "You crossed the border into enemy territory," he hissed. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You could've started a war!"
The Iwa shinobi remained where they were, watching the scene unfold with unreadable expressions. Koji's gaze lingered on Rei, his voice calm despite the tension in the air. "The truth will find you eventually, Arakawa," he said as Kakashi began dragging her away. "No matter how far you run from it."
Rei jerked against Kakashi's grip, but he held fast, pulling her back toward Konoha's side of the border. Her heart was pounding, her mind reeling with everything she'd just heard. But more than anything, she felt the weight of their gazes—the pity in their eyes as they watched her retreat.
And it burned.
Rei stumbled as Kakashi dragged her further from the border, his grip still firm on her arm. She gritted her teeth and yanked herself free, planting her feet firmly on the ground. "Let go of me!" she snapped, glaring at him.
Kakashi spun around to face her, his expression livid. "Let go of you? Are you insane, Rei?!" His voice, normally so calm and measured, was sharp with anger. "Do you have any idea what you just did? You crossed into enemy territory! Do you even think before you act?"
Rei's chest tightened as the weight of what had just happened hit her. But she wasn't about to let Kakashi steamroll her. "I wasn't going to stay there!" she shot back. "I was just—"
"Just what?" Kakashi cut her off, stepping closer. "Risking the mission? Risking starting a war? Because that's exactly what could've happened if they'd decided to attack you!" His voice rose with every word, his eyes blazing. "Do you think this is a game? You don't get to play the hero, Rei. This isn't one of your reckless stunts back home!"
Rei flinched at his tone but quickly hardened her expression. "I didn't ask for your input, Kakashi. I can handle myself."
Kakashi's laugh was humorless and harsh. "Handle yourself?!" He gestured toward the border they had just crossed. "You couldn't handle staying on the right side of the border, let alone the consequences if something went wrong! What were you even doing over there?"
"I found the truth," Rei spat, her anger flaring again. "Something you wouldn't understand because all you do is follow orders like a mindless drone."
That made Kakashi freeze for a moment, his eye narrowing. "What are you talking about?"
"The Arakawa clan," Rei began, her voice trembling with rage and emotion. She could feel the words bubbling up, sharp and bitter, before she could stop them. "They weren't just warriors. They were used, Kakashi. Konoha threw them away—treated them like tools. Koji and Mayu—" She hesitated, her voice catching as she remembered the scars and the pain in Mayu's voice. "They didn't defect because they were traitors. They left because they had no choice. Because Konoha—your Konoha—betrayed them."
Kakashi stiffened, his gaze hardening further. "You're taking the word of traitors now? The Iwa shinobi who attacked our people? You're just going to believe whatever they said?"
"They didn't attack me!" Rei snapped, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "They could've, but they didn't. They told me the truth, and I believe them."
"That's your problem!" Kakashi fired back. "You're reckless, naive, and too eager to believe whatever suits you! Just because you want it to be true doesn't make it the truth, Rei. If you'd stop acting like you know everything, maybe you'd understand what's at stake."
Her fists clenched at her sides as the words hit her like a blow. "You think I don't understand what's at stake? My clan is gone, Kakashi. My parents have been trying to protect me from the truth my whole life, but I finally see it now. Konoha used them up and discarded them like garbage. They don't care about the Arakawa, and they don't care about me."
Kakashi's eye widened briefly at her words, but his expression quickly steeled again. "You think you're the only one?" he said, his voice low but cutting. "You think you're the only person in this village who's lost something? Who's had to make hard choices? Your clan isn't the only one that's suffered. You're not special, Rei."
His words stung, but Rei refused to back down. "At least I'm not lying to myself! You walk around acting like your precious rules and orders are all that matter, but they don't care about you either, Kakashi! You're just another puppet for the system, too afraid to question anything."
Kakashi's eyes burned with fury, the harsh words hitting a nerve he didn't want to acknowledge. For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out, but he forced himself to take a step back instead, his voice dropping to an icy calm. "And that's why no one trusts you, Rei," he said quietly. "You think the rules don't apply to you. You think you're better than everyone else because you're always so quick to act. But you're just reckless. And one day, it's going to get someone killed."
Rei felt the blood drain from her face at his words, the accusation cutting deeper than she'd anticipated. She opened her mouth to fire back, but no words came. For a brief moment, the air between them was silent, heavy with everything they weren't saying.
Then Rei exhaled sharply and turned away. "I'm done with this conversation," she said flatly, her voice trembling slightly. "Let's just finish the mission."
Kakashi didn't respond immediately. He stood there for a few moments, his gaze lingering on her back, his posture as tense as a coiled spring.
Finally, he turned away as well. "Fine," he said coldly, without looking at her. "Let's go."
The tension hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around them as they trudged forward along the narrow dirt trail. Kakashi walked ahead, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the tracks Shinji had left behind. Every movement was sharp and deliberate, his focus entirely on the mission now, as though trying to erase the argument from his mind.
Rei followed several paces behind. She didn't care about following his lead, but the path was too narrow to walk beside him without brushing against his shoulder—and she didn't want to be near him. Her fists clenched and unclenched as she walked, the anger still simmering in her chest, mixing with the helpless frustration she couldn't quite shake.
She kept her eyes trained ahead, refusing to let Kakashi's silence draw her attention. But it was impossible to ignore. His lack of words wasn't calming—it was suffocating. Rei wasn't sure if she preferred the cold insults or this aching quiet, but both felt unbearable.
The trees around them grew denser, the trail winding sharply through the thickening forest. The gradual hum of birds and distant rustling in the bushes made Rei uneasy, though she didn't say anything. Kakashi moved with precision, crouching occasionally to examine the tracks, sometimes pausing entirely to scan their surroundings.
At one point, Rei let out a frustrated sigh—louder than she intended—but Kakashi didn't even turn his head. His restraint only irritated her more. She wanted to shout at him, to demand he say something, but she held herself back. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his silence bothered her.
Instead, she focused on the footprints they were following. Shinji's trail had veered off the main path long ago, weaving erratically through the forest. He wasn't moving with the skill of a shinobi, but his desperation was evident in every scuffed mark on the ground.
Rei's gaze shifted toward Kakashi as he crouched again, his fingers brushing over a broken branch. He tilted his head slightly, as though processing something.
"What is it now?" she asked, her irritation bleeding into her voice.
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He rose slowly, his hand brushing against the pouch at his side before he turned to her with his usual detached expression. "The tracks are getting fresher." His tone was sharp, clipped, and devoid of the fury from earlier. It was colder now—mechanical, like he was addressing a stranger.
Rei frowned but didn't respond, stepping around him to inspect the tracks herself. She crouched low, her fingers grazing the disturbed dirt. Kakashi wasn't wrong—the footprints were deeper and clearer here, as though Shinji had only just passed through.
"We're close," she muttered, standing again and brushing her hands against her pants.
Kakashi gave a curt nod. "Stay focused."
Rei's jaw tightened. She wanted to snap at him, but she bit her tongue. This wasn't the time to continue their argument. Not yet.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the tension between them remained thick, but the signs of Shinji's movements grew more frequent. Each new marker—scratched bark, disturbed foliage, faint prints on the dusty trail—was a reminder that their mission was nearing its conclusion.
But despite their progress, Rei's frustration mounted with every passing hour. Kakashi continued to lead without a word, his focus entirely on the tracks, his precision unshakable. Normally, she'd respect his skill; he was good at this—better than her, even. But the air between them was too hostile, too heavy for her to give him any credit.
She darted ahead at one point, her impatience getting the better of her. While Kakashi stopped to examine a faint print on the ground, Rei scanned the area, her sharp eyes catching glimpses of disturbed grass further ahead. "He went that way," she called over her shoulder, already moving toward the faint trail.
Kakashi's voice followed her, its usual calm replaced with quiet steel. "Stop rushing ahead. We need to be cautious."
Rei stopped mid-step, spinning around with her hands on her hips. "Cautious? He's just a merchant, Kakashi! He's not going to pull out some hidden jutsu and ambush us." Her tone was biting, her patience worn thin.
Kakashi stared at her, his eye narrowing slightly. "Desperation makes people dangerous, Rei. You're not thinking clearly."
She rolled her eyes, throwing up her hands. "Right, because you're the expert! What would I do without your infinite wisdom?" she snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
But before Kakashi could respond, a faint sound reached both their ears—a branch snapping in the distance, followed by hurried footsteps. They froze immediately, their bodies tensing instinctively.
Kakashi's hand moved to his kunai pouch as his gaze shifted sharply toward the noise. "He's close," he murmured, his voice dropping low.
Rei nodded but didn't speak, her anger momentarily forgotten as her senses sharpened. She followed Kakashi's lead this time, her movements quieter as she stepped cautiously toward the direction of the sound.
The trail led them to a clearing—a small, open space surrounded by tall trees. In the center of it, Shinji stood, clutching a leather satchel to his chest as he scanned the area nervously. His clothes were torn, his face pale with exhaustion, but the wild look in his eyes told them everything they needed to know. He was desperate, terrified, and cornered.
Rei's grip tightened around her own kunai, her focus locking on their target. Kakashi, standing slightly ahead of her, stepped forward carefully, his voice calm and commanding as he spoke. "Shinji," he said evenly. "Don't run. You won't get far."
Shinji's head snapped toward them, his body flinching as his grip on the satchel tightened. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice trembling. "I won't let you take me!"
Rei narrowed her eyes, her stance shifting slightly as she prepared to move. Kakashi's arm extended slightly in front of her, a silent signal to hold back. She bristled but obeyed, watching carefully as Kakashi continued speaking.
"We don't want to hurt you," he said, his voice steady. "But we need those blueprints—and you need to come back with us. Alive."
Shinji's breathing quickened, his eyes darting between them and the treeline behind him. It was clear he was weighing his options, calculating the odds of running. But before he could act, Rei stepped forward, her kunai gleaming faintly in the light.
"Stop wasting time," she said coldly, her voice cutting through the air. "You don't have anywhere to go, Shinji. Just surrender already."
Shinji flinched, his desperation breaking through as he turned sharply and bolted toward the trees. Rei cursed under her breath and shot forward, Kakashi close behind her as they pursued.
Shinji's panicked footsteps crashed through the underbrush, his speed fueled by desperation. Rei darted after him, her movements quick and agile, closing the distance between them with ease. She wasn't about to let him slip away—not after everything they'd been through to catch him.
Kakashi followed close behind, his movements deliberate and precise. He wasn't moving as recklessly as Rei, but even at her faster pace, he managed to match her stride.
Rei glanced over her shoulder briefly, her annoyance brimming as she caught sight of him keeping up. Of course he has to stay right on my heels, she thought bitterly. But she didn't have time to dwell on it. Her focus snapped back to Shinji, who was weaving erratically through the trees, occasionally glancing back at them with wide, frantic eyes.
"Stop running!" Rei shouted, her voice cutting through the crashing of branches. "You're only making this harder for yourself!"
Shinji didn't respond, his grip tightening on the satchel as he pushed forward, his movements growing sloppier with exhaustion.
"Rei!" Kakashi barked from behind her. "Don't rush ahead!"
Rei rolled her eyes but didn't slow down. "I've got this!" she snapped back. "He's already cornered!"
But Kakashi wasn't convinced. His eyes darted toward their surroundings, scanning for any signs of danger. The forest was dense, the trees towering over them like silent sentinels, and the shadows cast by the late afternoon sun concealed much of the terrain. It was the perfect environment for an ambush—something Kakashi wasn't willing to overlook.
Rei ignored him entirely, breaking into a sprint as she gained ground on Shinji. The merchant stumbled suddenly, his foot catching on a tree root, and Rei lunged forward, her kunai drawn as she reached for his shoulder.
But before she could grab him, Shinji twisted sharply, swinging the satchel toward her with surprising force. Rei ducked instinctively, the weight of the bag narrowly missing her as she rolled to the side, coming up with her kunai poised.
Kakashi was there in an instant, his movements swift and calculated. He appeared behind Shinji, his own kunai gleaming as he held it close to the merchant's throat.
"Enough," Kakashi said coldly, his voice steady despite the tension lingering from their earlier argument. "It's over."
Shinji froze, his body trembling as the reality of his situation sank in. The panic in his eyes burned bright, but he didn't move, his breath coming in heavy gasps.
Rei straightened, brushing dirt off her clothes as she glared at Shinji. "You're not getting away," she hissed, stepping closer to loom over him. "Hand over the satchel."
Shinji hesitated, his grip tightening instinctively, but Kakashi pressed his kunai closer, the cold edge brushing against his neck. "Don't make this harder than it already is," Kakashi warned, his tone sharp.
With a shaky breath, Shinji finally loosened his hold on the satchel. Rei grabbed it immediately, pulling it away from him with an annoyed grunt before stepping back to inspect the contents.
Setting the bag down, she opened it, riffling through its contents until she found the rolled blueprints tucked neatly inside. She pulled them out, her eyes scanning the parchment briefly to confirm their authenticity. The scrawled diagrams and notes were exactly what Sakumo had described.
She sighed, rolling the blueprints back up and tucking them into her own pouch. "Mission accomplished," she muttered, her tone bitter.
But Kakashi wasn't done. He turned Shinji slightly, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Why did you steal this?" he asked bluntly. "You knew you'd be caught eventually. What were you hoping to accomplish?"
Shinji's lips quivered, his exhausted gaze flickering between the two shinobi. "I—I needed the money," he stammered, his voice trembling. "They—they offered me protection if I brought them the blueprints."
Rei frowned, stepping closer. "Who's 'they'?"
"Iwa," Shinji answered quickly, his voice rising slightly in desperation. "They're preparing for something big... They said they'd give me enough to disappear if I delivered this."
Rei felt her stomach tighten, her mind snapping back to the Iwa shinobi she'd encountered earlier. Their talk of war preparations, of gathering resources—it all clicked together now.
Kakashi's expression remained impassive, but his eyes darkened slightly. "You sold out your village for money," he said quietly, his tone carrying an edge of disdain.
Shinji's shoulders slumped, his body sagging with defeat. "I didn't have a choice," he muttered weakly. "I'm just a merchant... I needed to survive."
Rei stared at him for a long moment, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface—the anger at his betrayal, at his cowardice, but mostly at the system that had created this situation in the first place.
She looked away, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself from saying anything she'd regret. "Let's just get him back to the village," she muttered finally.
Kakashi nodded curtly, his grip firm on Shinji's arm as he pulled him to his feet. "Move," he ordered.
As they began the trek back toward Konoha, the heavy silence returned, though this time it carried a different weight. Rei's thoughts churned with everything she'd learned—the truth about her clan, the betrayal of Koji and Mayu, and now the hints of war brewing on the horizon.
She glanced at Kakashi briefly, noting the stiffness in his posture, the way his focus seemed unshakable despite the lingering tension between them. Their argument wasn't forgotten, and she doubted it ever would be.
The journey back to Konoha was slower than Rei wanted. Every step seemed to drag, the weight of the argument between her and Kakashi hanging heavy in the silence. Shinji trudged between them, his head hanging low, his movements sluggish under Kakashi's firm grip.
Rei barely glanced at the merchant, her thoughts preoccupied by the swirling storm in her mind. Koji and Mayu's words lingered like echoes she couldn't escape, the scars on Mayu's back burned into her memory. The revelation about her clan had shaken something loose, something that refused to settle.
Kakashi didn't say a word—not to her, not to Shinji. He was focused, his posture stiff and his eyes forward, as though willing the mission to finish itself. Rei cast him a brief glance, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She wanted answers, wanted to confront him again, but her exhaustion weighed her down, keeping the words trapped inside her.
By the time the three of them reached Konoha's gates, the sun was low on the horizon, painting the village in muted shades of gold and pink. It was almost peaceful—almost enough to distract Rei from the gnawing tension in her chest.
They made their way to the Hokage's office, Shinji trailing behind with the same defeated slump. Sakumo greeted them with his usual calm demeanor, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group in quiet assessment. Rei straightened her back instinctively, trying to look composed despite the storm raging in her thoughts.
"Report," Sakumo said simply, his tone steady but expectant.
Kakashi stepped forward first, his voice matter-of-fact as he recounted the mission details. "We tracked Shinji near the border of Iwagakure and apprehended him before he could escape into enemy territory. He had the stolen blueprints in his possession." He nodded toward Rei briefly. "Rei secured the blueprints, and they've been returned intact."
Sakumo's gaze flickered toward Shinji, who stood miserably between them, eyes fixed on the floor. "And the merchant?"
Kakashi's expression hardened slightly. "He admitted to working with Iwagakure in exchange for protection and payment. He said they were preparing for larger plans and wanted the blueprints for war supplies."
Sakumo frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line as he absorbed the information. "I see." He folded his hands beneath his chin, his gaze settling on the merchant. "He'll be questioned for further details. This is concerning, but you've handled the mission well."
Rei opened her mouth to speak, ready to clarify the full extent of what had happened, but Kakashi interrupted her, his voice calm and unyielding. "There were no complications."
Rei blinked, his words hitting her like a shockwave.
She stared at him, her lips parting slightly as confusion washed over her. No complications? The border crossing, the encounter with Iwa shinobi—he wasn't mentioning any of it.
Sakumo nodded, seeming satisfied with the report. "Good work, both of you," he said finally. His gaze lingered briefly on Rei, his expression unreadable, before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "You're excused."
Rei hesitated, her mind reeling as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Kakashi had left out the most critical part of their mission—the part that would have undoubtedly landed her in trouble. He didn't mention her crossing the border, didn't speak a word about their confrontation with the Iwa shinobi.
Why?